The Covid-19 pandemic has decimated hospital finances, and as a result, rural providers are forced to make key IT spending decisions with limited dollars. Here is a snapshot of how they will prioritize those dollars this year and the federal support they need to survive the ongoing public health crisis. By ANUJA VAIDYA Post a comment / Mar […]
The hospital reimbursement increase should also come with quality incentive program revisions, while physician rates should stay the course, according to the March report to Congress. By Jacqueline LaPointe March 17, 2021 – In its annual March report to Congress, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) has recommended a 2 percent increase in Medicare hospital reimbursement rates in 2022 and […]
In the early morning of Feb. 27, 2021, the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed H.R. 1319, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, by a 219-212 vote. Two Democrats joined with a united Republican caucus to oppose the bill. House Democratic leadership introduced and passed the American Rescue Plan the same week the United States […]
The COVID-19 pandemic made healthcare visits over video or phone the norm, likely turning telehealth into a permanent fixture within the U.S. healthcare system. In fact, the majority of patient access leaders at large hospitals believe 20-30 percent of appointments will happen over video in 2021, according to recent research. Further, an overwhelming portion of those leaders – 95 […]
Tuesday, April 27th, 2021 WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 27, 2021)—A bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced legislation on Thursday, April 22, to provide reimbursement to providers for telehealth services in the Medicare Home Health benefit. Introduced as S. 1309, the Home Health Emergency Access to Telehealth (HEAT) Act is a top 2021 legislative priority for the […]
The home health industry hasn’t given up on securing telehealth reimbursement during the public health emergency. Their tenacity is being rewarded with recent legislative movement on Capitol Hill. A group of bipartisan Senators on Thursday introduced S. 1309, the new version of the Home Health Emergency Access to Telehealth (HEAT) Act under the current Congress. […]
The CONNECT for Health Act is back before Congress for a 4th time, and backers say the massive telehealth bill could cross the finish line this time on broad bipartisan support and pressure to set long-term connected health policy. By Eric Wicklund April 30, 2021 – Will the fourth time be the charm for the CONNECT for Health […]
As a result of the COVID-19 public health emergency, telehealth has evolved and will continue to evolve. As part of this evolution, CMS finalized a rule that expands Medicare coverage for telehealth services. This final rule, along with other new rules and waivers by the federal government, state governments and private payors, has significantly expanded […]
Telehealth is a way to receive healthcare services remotely through various communication technologies. The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) defines telehealth as “the use of medical information exchanged from one site to another via electronic communications to improve a patient’s clinical health status.”1How and why you use telehealth will depend on your health needs and goals, […]
Media Contact:Paloma PerezPaloma.Perez@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC ACTING CHAIRWOMAN CIRCULATES ROUND 2 COVID-19 TELEHEALTH PROGRAM REPORT AND ORDERCongress Tasked the FCC to Create Rules and Procedures for Round 2 of Program to Support Health Care Providers During the Pandemic—WASHINGTON, March 17, 2021—Today, Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel circulated a Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration […]
Twenty-two states have laws that address payment and reimbursement rates for telehealth services, including requiring commercial insurers to pay providers the same rate for services delivered via telehealth as in person, according to a recent report from law firm Foley and Lardner. For its February report, Foley and Lardner examined state telehealth laws such as reimbursement provisions. […]
Remote patient monitoring (RPM) has proven to be a solid solution for helping seniors age in place without consistent trips to the doctor’s office, clinic, or emergency room. The COVID era has increased demand for the deployment of healthcare technology, as many seniors with chronic conditions do not want to leave their homes for treatment. […]