The U.S. will extend the COVID-19 public health emergency past January 11, 2023, CNBC reported Nov. 11. A 12th extension of the PHE since the first in January 2020 is also likely because of a lack of public statement from HHS warning about a termination. The agency last renewed the PHE Oct. 13 for an additional 90 […]
It’s that time of year again! Medicare has released the calendar year 2023 final rule related to Medicare Part B, which is impacted by the physician fee schedule and determines rates and coding updates for your rehab providers. So what should your therapist know regarding the conversion factor, telehealth provisions, audiology services and remote therapeutic monitoring codes? […]
On November 2, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its annual final rule updating the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) for calendar year (CY) 2023, which included various changes related to the provision of telehealth, including implementing telehealth provisions included within the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, and extending coverage through the end of CY […]
CMS is moving ahead with major changes to evaluation and management (E/M) services, telehealth, coverage of dental services, and more in the 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) final rule. The rule, released November 1, also includes updates to vaccine payments and quality and reporting programs. E/M CMS finalized its proposals to bring E/M coding and guidelines […]
CMS is moving ahead with major changes to evaluation and management (E/M) services, telehealth, coverage of dental services, and more in the 2023 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) final rule. The rule, released November 1, also includes updates to vaccine payments and quality and reporting programs. E/M CMS finalized its proposals to bring E/M coding and guidelines […]
For more than a century, Centura Health, based in Centennial, Colorado, has strived to define whole person care. The organization says it improves lives and strengthens communities by honoring the mind, body and spirit in equal measure. Further, it says it understands the way care is provided is as meaningful as the care itself, which […]
What’s at stake Before the pandemic hit in March 2020, the Medicare program only paid for telehealth services in very limited circumstances: COVID-19 sparked policy change and led to dramatic increases in adoption of telehealth by patients and physicians. Early in the pandemic, with strong support from the AMA, such restrictions on coverage for telehealth services were […]
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released on Tuesday the final physician fee schedule rule that sets out payment rates for 2022. The rule also includes several provisions that aim to expand flexibility for telehealth reimbursement for mental health. CMS had expanded flexibility for providers to get Medicare reimbursement for telehealth at the onset […]
Following President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address on Tuesday, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra kicked off the National Tour to Strengthen Mental Health in an effort to hear directly from Americans across the country about the behavioral health challenges they’re facing and engage with local elected officials and leaders to […]
The internet, COVID-19 pandemic and increased access to smartphones and laptops has changed the way people shop, bank, travel and work. It also has changed how people manage their health care. Telehealth, including telemedicine and virtual visits, uses digital information and communication technologies to access health care services remotely and manage your health care. It’s […]
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues across the United States, states, payers, and providers are looking for ways to expand access to telehealth services. Telehealth is an essential tool in ensuring patients are able to access the healthcare services they need in as safe a manner as possible. In order to provide our clients with quick […]
COVID-19 has exacerbated the nation’s struggle with mental health and substance use disorders (collectively called “behavioral health conditions”), fueling a full-blown crisis. For some Americans during the pandemic, this has meant feeling depressed and hopeless, making it challenging for them to perform everyday tasks. For older Americans and people with disabilities who may have already […]
There are practical ways to apply digital care solutions to improve health for all. Pandemic-related hardships affect the mental and physical health of various populations differently. Younger generations, women, and those with children in the home face higher rates of depression and anxiety, while Black and Hispanic adults fare worse than white adults across all […]
Appropriate application of telehealth could make health care delivery more efficient, explains Dr Mike Hoaglin. As a currently practicing physician with plenty of experience working in the emergency department, I’m no stranger to advocating for patients’ access to care within complex and inefficient systems. Barriers to that care range from shortage of in-network supply of […]