Medicare expanding coverage of telehealth servicesALICIA AULT
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has finalized its rule on in-person exam requirements for Medicare coverage of telehealth-based mental health services when the patient is located at home. The Frequently Asked Questions below are based on CMS’ policies in the2022 Physician Fee ...
Medicare’s coverage of telemedicine can help to reduce the number of patients returning to the hospital. By allowing remote medical consultations with hospital or facility, using video and other telehealth technologies, this avoids unnecessary re-admissions and all the costs that come along with them...
Currently, nearly all Medicare Advantage plans offer a telehealth benefit. And, seeing how most care providers have integrated telehealth into their offerings, it looks like that coverage might be here to stay, even after 2024 wraps up. Just check your plan benefits to see how telehealth is cur...
As coronavirus continues to spread across the country, patients should be intentional about when they are seeking care. Those who are exhibiting symptoms should be screened but should consult their provider first. Expanding telehealth coverage will allow patients to minimize their risk of contr...
2. Medicare Coverage for Telehealth Medicare has recognized theimportance and convenience of telehealth services, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has expanded its coverage to include a wide array of telehealth visits. The coverage for telehealth services under Medicare varies depending on...
An examination of a stratified random sample of 100 claims for telehealth services found that 31 of them did not meet Medicare requirements, said the OIGin an April report. Medicare covers telehealth as part of its effort to support access to care in rural areas, paying for interactive videoco...
CMS has updated its FAQs for Medicare coverage of telehealth, and promises more detailed guidance on how the CARES Act will boost reimbursement for connected health services.
For example, for people covered under traditional Medicare, prepandemic coverage of telehealth services was limited to people living in rural areas, with restrictions on where they could receive these services (at qualifying sites rather than in their own homes). The easing of these restrictions mea...
Therefore, enrollees in Medicare Advantage plans that include coverage of such services may be available to receive clinically appropriate services for treatment of COVID-19 via telehealth from many sites, including their home. This fact sheet, and earlier CMS actions in response t...