As the healthcare industry continues to adjust, including the options to utilize Telehealth, having a remote workforce and keeping up with the fast moving changes in many regulations, we want to provide a clear update to independent physicians and billers about what to expect. It is important to note that CMS has recently announced new and established patients have availability to Telehealth and HHS OIG is providing flexibility for healthcare providers to reduce or waive cost sharing for Telehealth visits paid by federal healthcare programs. CMS is also expanding Telehealth services to people with medicare. As a result, please see the below video from CMS which highlights the Medicare Coverage and Payment of Virtual Services and Telehealth.
In addition, we’ve included a few key questions and answers below.
If you have further questions about Telehealth and your compliance, please contact Jim Johnson with Live Compliance at Jim@LiveCompliance.com or (980) 999-1585.
1. Who can provide Telehealth services?
- Physicians - Nurse Practitioners - Physician assistants - Nurse midwives - Certified nurse anesthetists - Clinical psychologists - Registered dietitians - Nutrition professionals 2. What services can a medicare beneficiary receive through Telehealth?
- Evaluation and management visits (common office visits) - Mental health counseling - Preventive health screenings - More than 80 additional services 3. What are the types of virtual services?
- Medicare Telehealth visits
- Virtual check ins
- E-visits
- Telephone services