Telehealth policy and regulation
Telehealth policies and regulations aim to ensure safe, effective and accessible virtual care delivery. They establish rules for patient privacy, provider licensing, reimbursement and technology standards and provide guardrails to protect against fraud, waste and abuse. These policies and regulations are critical for enhancing healthcare access and clinical outcomes.
Top Stories
-
Podcast
17 Dec 2024
Exploring key telehealth policy considerations for 2025
Despite growing calls from the industry, Congress has yet to act on telehealth flexibilities, highlighting the varied considerations for comprehensive telehealth policies. Continue Reading
-
News
12 Dec 2024
Lawmakers join calls for extension of telehealth flexibilities
Following calls from industry groups and healthcare organizations, lawmakers are urging Congress to extend pandemic-era telehealth flexibilities, set to expire on Dec. 31, 2024. Continue Reading
-
News
04 Jan 2021
Baker Signs Massachusetts Telehealth Bill With Parity Provisions Into Law
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker signed a comprehensive healthcare bill into law on New Year's Day, mandating permanent payment parity for telemental health and establishing two years of parity for primary and chronic care services. Continue Reading
-
News
04 Jan 2021
Telehealth Supporters See Little to Celebrate in Pandemic Relief Bill
The bill signed into law by President Trump before Christmas offers a few telehealth tidbits - including Medicare coverage for telemental health and rural hospitals and funding for broadband connectivity - but the criticism has so far outweighed the compliments. Continue Reading
-
News
31 Dec 2020
AMA Council Supports Licensure Compact to Push Telehealth Adoption
The AMA has adopted a report calling for support for the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact so that physicians can use telehealth to compete against vendors, retail clinics and payers moving into the space. Continue Reading
-
News
29 Dec 2020
Trump, Congress Give New Life to FCC's COVID-19 Telehealth Program
The relief bill signed into law this past weekend by President Trump includes $250 million for the Federal Communications Commission's COVID-19 Telehealth Program, which was shut down in July after exhausting its budget. Continue Reading
-
News
29 Dec 2020
California Lawmaker Eyes Permanent Telehealth Coverage for Medicaid
When the state's Legislature convenes next month, it will see a bill that aims to permanently extend telehealth coverage in the Medi-Cal program that was put in place to address the coronavirus pandemic. Continue Reading
-
News
24 Dec 2020
Massachusetts Lawmakers Debate Compromise Telehealth Bill
If passed, the bill would establish permanent payment parity for telemental health services and mandate payment parity for primary care and chronic care management via telehealth or the next two years. Continue Reading
-
News
18 Dec 2020
Oregon, Payers Negotiate Telehealth Coverage, Including Payment Parity, Into 2021
Stare officials have forged agreements with nine payers to continue expanded telehealth coverage enacted to deal with the coronavirus pandemic through at least next June. The deal includes payment parity. Continue Reading
-
News
15 Dec 2020
New Bill Would Expand Telehealth Options for MAT, Substance Abuse Programs
The CARA 2.0 bill, introduced last week, would, among other things, enable providers to prescribe medications via telehealth without an in-person visit and would allow Medicare coverage for audio-only telehealth treatment. Continue Reading
-
News
15 Dec 2020
ATA, HIMSS Lobby Congress to Extend Telehealth Freedoms Through '21
In a letter to Congressional leaders, several telehealth groups have asked that emergency measures enacted during the coronavirus pandemic be kept in place through 2021 as Congress continues to work on long-term coverage. Continue Reading
-
News
10 Dec 2020
Kansas Providers Say Payment Parity is Crucial for Telehealth Adoption
A survey finds that healthcare providers in Kansas embraced telehealth thanks in part to payment parity measures enacted during the pandemic, and many feel they need that support to continue using those platforms. Continue Reading
-
News
10 Dec 2020
Lawsuit Challenges Washington DC's Telehealth Licensure Restrictions
A Virginia counselor has filed a lawsuit challenging Washington DC's ban on telehealth services from out-of-state providers, saying this violates her First Amendment right to free speech. Continue Reading
-
Answer
08 Dec 2020
Analysis: CMS Gives Telehealth a Boost, But More is Needed
Experts say the 2021 Physician Fee Schedule will advance telehealth adoption, but it falls short of giving momentum to remote patient monitoring. Oh, and Congress needs to step up to the plate, too. Continue Reading
-
News
04 Dec 2020
HHS Expands COVID-19 Telehealth Capabilities in PREP Act Amendment
The Health and Human Services Secretary will allow healthcare providers to use telehealth across state lines to deliver "Covered Countermeasures" against the coronavirus. Continue Reading
-
News
02 Dec 2020
Medicare Extends COVID-19 Telehealth Coverage in Diabetes Prevention Programs
As part of the 2021 Physician Fee Schedule, Medicare will continue to reimburse Diabetes Prevention Program providers who use certain telehealth services - but only for the duration of the public health emergency. Continue Reading
-
News
02 Dec 2020
CMS Finalizes Telehealth, RPM Coverage in 2021 Physician Fee Schedule
The agency has released its long-awaited final document on Medicare coverage for telehealth and remote patient monitoring services in the coming year, building upon trends seen during this year's coronavirus pandemic. Continue Reading
-
News
01 Dec 2020
Texas Lawmaker Calls for Permanent Payment Parity for Telehealth
State Rep. Julie Johnson has submitted a bill that would require payers in the Lone Star State to reimburse providers for telehealth services "on the same basis and at least the same rate" as they do for in-person care. Continue Reading
-
News
30 Nov 2020
OIG Audit Analyzes Telehealth Use in Substance Abuse Treatment
The audit highlights how opioid treatment programs have used telehealth to improve access and care during the COVID-19 emergency and identifies the problems they've faced using the technology. Continue Reading
-
News
25 Nov 2020
CMS Unveils New Telehealth Program to Treat Acute Care Patients at Home
The Acute Hospital Care at Home program would allow participating hospitals to qualify for Medicare waivers to treat patients at home via telehealth, reducing the strain on EDs and in-patient services. Continue Reading
-
News
25 Nov 2020
New Jersey Expands COVID-19 Telehealth Coverage for Specialists
State officials have amended practice standards to allow physical therapists, audiologists, speech language pathologists, social workers, psychologists, nurses and others to use telehealth during the pandemic. Continue Reading
-
News
24 Nov 2020
New Telehealth Bill Would Penalize States Who Don't Join Licensure Compact
A bill introduced last month would deny certain federal funding to states who don't join the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, which aims to improve telehealth expansion by streamlining licensure applications. Continue Reading
-
News
24 Nov 2020
Stark Law Changes Should Benefit Telehealth, Remote Patient Monitoring
The OIG's Final Rule on changes to the Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute creates several new safe harbors that will help providers create and expand telehealth platforms and remote patient monitoring programs. Continue Reading
-
News
23 Nov 2020
Wisconsin Governor Seeks Coverage Parity for Telehealth Services
In a COVID-19 relief package unveiled last week, Tony Evers included a bill that would require payers to cover services delivered via telehealth that they would otherwise cover in person through the end of 2021. Continue Reading
-
News
19 Nov 2020
American Medical Association Announces New Policy on Telehealth
The AMA has released a new telehealth policy, aimed at supporting federal and state efforts to clarify and improve coverage, access and reimbursement in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Continue Reading
-
News
18 Nov 2020
Congress Eyes Permanent Medicare Coverage for Telehealth from Therapists
A bill introduced this week would permanently extend Medicare coverage for telehealth services delivered by physical and occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists and audiologists. Continue Reading
-
News
17 Nov 2020
COVID-19 Survey: Doctors Like Telehealth and Want to Continue Using It
A new survey from the COVID-19 Healthcare Coalition finds that providers have seen good results from using telehealth during the coronavirus, and more than half say connected health has improved their work satisfaction. Continue Reading
-
News
16 Nov 2020
Connected Care Alliance Seeks Support for New Telehealth Licensure Rules
The Alliance for Connected Care is preparing a letter to federal and state lawmakers that would support new policies that allow providers to use telehealth to treat patients in other states. Continue Reading
-
News
11 Nov 2020
ATA Calls On Biden Administration To Continue Telehealth Expansion
The American Telemedicine Association reflects on telehealth expansion during the Trump Administration and looks forward to progress under President-Elect Biden. Continue Reading
-
News
05 Nov 2020
FCC Opens Application Window for Connected Care Pilot Program
The three-year, $100 million program, aimed at boosting broadband connectivity in underserved parts of the country to support telehealth expansion, will accept applications for one month, beginning on November 6. Continue Reading
-
News
26 Oct 2020
Lawmakers Eye Medicare Coverage for Telehealth in Home Health Care
Bills introduced in both the Senate and House last week call for Medicare coverage for home health care services provided via telehealth during a public health emergency. Continue Reading
-
News
26 Oct 2020
DEA Pressured to Create a Telehealth Registration for Drug Abuse Treatment
More than 80 organizations have signed a new letter asking federal officials to create a special registration so that qualifying providers can use telehealth to prescribe medications for substance abuse treatment. Continue Reading
-
News
23 Oct 2020
Michigan Payer Launches Telehealth Plan for Primary Care Services
Priority Heath has unveiled a telehealth plan that assigns members to a primary care physician through Doctor on Demand and offers all services on the virtual care platform except for those requiring in-person care. Continue Reading
-
News
22 Oct 2020
Lawmakers Eye Medicare Coverage for COVID-19 Tests Via Telehealth
A new bill before Congress would mandate Medicare coverage for at-home COVID-19 tests integrated with a telehealth platform. Continue Reading
-
News
21 Oct 2020
New Telehealth Bill Would Fund States' Broadband Expansion Programs
A Texas lawmaker has filed a bill that would set aside $10 billion to help states launch broadband expansion programs aimed at boosting connectivity - and telehealth access - in underserved areas. Continue Reading
-
News
20 Oct 2020
How Should State Medicaid Programs Expand Telehealth Coverage?
Jacqueline Marks, a manager with the Manatt Health division of Manatt, Phelps & Philips, has drafted a list of suggested policy actions that states could take to extend Medicaid telehealth coverage beyond the pandemic. Continue Reading
-
News
15 Oct 2020
CMS Adds Reimbursement for Cardiac Rehab Services Via Telehealth
CMS has added 11 services to Medicare's telehealth reimbursement list for the duration of the pandemic and released new resources for state Medicaid and CHIP programs looking to expand their connected health offerings. Continue Reading
-
News
14 Oct 2020
Illinois Coalition Urges Lawmakers to Enact Telehealth Payment Parity
A coalition of state healthcare organizations is asking Illinois lawmakers to make payment parity for telehealth services permanent, calling it the linchpin to widespread telehealth adoption. Continue Reading
-
News
13 Oct 2020
AMA Coalition to Help Doctors Use Telehealth for Mental Health Services
The AMA's Behavioral Health Integration Collaborative, coming on the heels of last week's Executive Order, aims to help providers use telehealth to integrate mental and behavioral health services into primary care. Continue Reading
-
News
13 Oct 2020
CMS Faces Another Call to Expand Telehealth Coverage for Specialists
More than 30 members of Congress have sent a letter to CMS Administrator Seema Verma asking her to expand COVID-19 telehealth coverage for audiology and speech-language pathology services. Continue Reading
-
News
01 Oct 2020
New Bill Seeks to Improve Medicaid, CHIP Telehealth Coverage for Kids
The TIKES Act of 2020, introduced this week on Capitol Hill, would direct HHS to help states improve telehealth coverage in Medicaid and CHIP programs and compel two studies on telehealth use and collaboration. Continue Reading
-
News
01 Oct 2020
Utah Extends Telehealth Freedoms Through End of COVID-19 Emergency
The state will continue to waive enforcement of its telehealth laws during the federal state of emergency. Continue Reading
-
News
30 Sep 2020
New Coalition Plans to Apply mHealth to Tackling Health Disparities
The HEAL Coalition, launched by the Consumer Technology Association and Connected Health Initiative, will shine the spotlight on commercial mHealth and telehealth tools that can improve health outcomes. Continue Reading
-
News
29 Sep 2020
NJ Lawmakers OK Telehealth for Medical Marijuana Prescriptions
The vote allows care providers to prescribe medical marijuana via telehealth for certain patients, and follows the state's action last month to waive the in-person requirement during the pandemic. Continue Reading
-
News
28 Sep 2020
Texas Governor Continues Payment Parity for Telehealth Through 2020
Governor Greg Abbott has ordered that state-regulated health plans continue to pay providers for telehealth services at the same rate as in-person care through the end of 2020. Continue Reading
-
News
23 Sep 2020
Ohio Think Tank Supports Telehealth Bill, But Not Payment Parity
The Buckeye Institute has come out in favor of a proposed bill in Ohio to amend and expand telehealth guidelines, including the decision by lawmakers to steer clear of payment parity. Continue Reading
-
News
21 Sep 2020
New Bill Looks to Mandate Payer Coverage for Telehealth Services
A bill introduced last week on Capitol Hill would prompt payers to cover any telehealth services if those services are also furnished in person. Continue Reading
-
News
18 Sep 2020
New CMS Payment Model for Kidney Care Could Boost Telehealth Use
The ESRD Treatment Choices (ETS) Model incentivizes providers who support home-based dialysis and care - and could open the door to more telehealth and remote patient monitoring programs. Continue Reading
-
News
18 Sep 2020
Consortium Pushes Telehealth Freedoms for Substance Abuse Treatment
A new Health Affairs blog urges the federal government to continue telehealth waivers for substance abuse treatment during the COVID-19 emergency and asks for permanent changes to safeguards around the use of buprenorphine. Continue Reading
-
News
16 Sep 2020
Telehealth Task Force Announces Policy Change Recommendations
A task force launched in June to study how telehealth has been used during the coronavirus pandemic has released a study and list of recommendations for expanding coverage after COVID-19. Continue Reading
-
News
09 Sep 2020
Georgia Governor Vetoes Telehealth Licensure Compact Bill for Specialists
Governor Brian Kemp has vetoed a bill that would have allowed the state to join a licensure compact for audiologists and speech-language pathologists, a sign that the telehealth-friendly concept may be struggling for support. Continue Reading
-
News
02 Sep 2020
Texas Lawmaker Wants CARES Act Telehealth Rules Extended Through 2025
The latest telehealth expansion bill introduced to Congress would extend CARES Act provisions through the end of 2025 and compel the GAO to issue two reports on the successes and challenges associated with connected health. Continue Reading
-
News
02 Sep 2020
Ohio Medicaid Asks to Make Expanded Telehealth Coverage Permanent
Ohio's Medicaid program is seeking to extend telehealth coverage that was put in place in March to address the coronavirus pandemic. Continue Reading
-
News
01 Sep 2020
FCC, HHS, USDA Announce Rural Telehealth Partnership, New Task Force
The three federal agencies are joining forces to advance the Rural Telehealth Initiative, which aims to expand telehealth services to rural parts of the country where healthcare access is challenging. Continue Reading
-
Answer
01 Sep 2020
CMS Proposes Significant Changes to Remote Patient Monitoring Coverage
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has clarified how providers can use telehealth and mHealth to establish and run remote patient monitoring programs, with changes that some feel could hinder care at home. Continue Reading
-
News
26 Aug 2020
Senators Call for Better Telehealth Coverage for Home Health Care
A group of Senators is asking CMS to expand coverage for telehealth services delivered by home health care providers. Continue Reading
-
News
24 Aug 2020
HRSA Awards Almost $12 Million in Grants to Rural Telehealth Initiatives
The grants, part of a $35 million package announced last week, target programs that expand telehealth access for emergency services, rural health research and telementoring. Continue Reading
-
News
21 Aug 2020
Senators Charge FCC With Mismanaging Telehealth Funding Programs
A letter signed by 14 Democratic Senators charges the FCC and Chairman Ajit Pai with failing to properly manage the Rural Health Care Program and the COVID-19 Telehealth Program, thus hindering attempts to expand telehealth access in rural America. Continue Reading
-
News
20 Aug 2020
Feds Urged to Include TV White Spaces in Telehealth Expansion Plans
A letter to federal officials asks that TV white spaces technology be supported as a means of expanding wireless broadband connectivity to support telehealth expansion in rural parts of the country. Continue Reading
-
News
18 Aug 2020
Congresswoman's Telehealth Bill Combines 9 Other Pieces of Legislation
US Rep. Ann Wagner's Telehealth Act pulls together nine telehealth bills introduced over the past year - all by Republicans - in a bid to give lawmakers one overarching piece of connected health legislation Continue Reading
-
News
14 Aug 2020
CMS May Eliminate Most Emergency Codes for COVID-19 Telehealth Services
CMS is planning to eliminate 74 of the 83 codes created to cover telehealth services during the coronavirus pandemic, though it's adding 13 new codes and could be swayed by public comments to add more coverage. Continue Reading
-
News
13 Aug 2020
Tennessee Lawmakers Pass New Telehealth Coverage Law - With Limits
Tennessee's Legislature has passed a law that expands telehealth coverage to compare with in-person services, though reimbursement parity and coverage for drug and alcohol counselors will only last until April of 2022. Continue Reading
-
News
12 Aug 2020
New Jersey OKs Medical Marijuana Prescriptions Via Telehealth
The state Attorney General's office has waived the requirement for an in-person exam prior to using telehealth to prescribe, dispense or administer medical marijuana during the COVID-19 emergency. Continue Reading
-
News
12 Aug 2020
Can CMS' New CHART Model Add Telehealth to the Rural Health Agenda?
CMS is unveiling a new funding model aimed at giving rural healthcare providers financial and regulatory incentives to improve quality-based care delivery - including adopting telehealth. Continue Reading
-
News
07 Aug 2020
States Announce Partnership to Coordinate Their Telehealth Efforts
The governors of Washington, Oregon, Nevada and Colorado will be working together to address telehealth access and coverage. Continue Reading
-
Answer
06 Aug 2020
How CMS Changes, Trump's Executive Order Affect Telehealth Coverage
Alongside President Trump's call for more rural telehealth coverage, CMS' proposed 2021 Physician Fee Schedule could keep the momentum going for connected health. But is it enough? Continue Reading
-
News
05 Aug 2020
Senators Eye Telehealth Licensure Freedom During COVID-19 Emergency
A bill introduced this week would allow healthcare providers in good standing to use telehealth to treat patients in any state during the coronavirus pandemic. Continue Reading
-
News
04 Aug 2020
CMS Proposes Expanding Telehealth Reimbursement After COVID-19
A recent Executive Order prompts CMS to make many of the telehealth flexibilities expanded during the coronavirus pandemic permanent. Continue Reading
-
News
31 Jul 2020
The COVID-19 Telehealth Expansion Bills Are Starting to Pile Up
Congress is very interested in expanding Medicare's telehealth coverage beyond the COVID-19 emergency, as the growing number of bills would attest. Continue Reading
-
News
30 Jul 2020
Connecticut Lawmakers Vote to Extend Telehealth Coverage - For a While
Lawmakers have passed a bill extending the state's emergency measures to expand telehealth coverage through next March, adding they want to study the issue further before addressing permanent coverage. Continue Reading
-
News
29 Jul 2020
New HHS Report Makes the Case for Continued Telehealth Coverage
A new report issued by the Health and Human Services Department tracks the effects of expanded Medicare telehealth coverage during the COVID-19 crisis and calls for more discussion on 'the future of patient-centered care.' Continue Reading
-
News
27 Jul 2020
Congress Aims to Keep Telehealth Momentum Going Beyond the COVID-19 Crisis
A bill to add money to the FCC's COVID-19 Telehealth Fund - one of at least three new bills introduced - and a meeting of the Taskforce for Telehealth Policy made last week a busy week for connected health on Capitol Hill. Continue Reading
-
News
23 Jul 2020
NH Permanently Extends Telehealth Coverage, Including Payment Parity
New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu has signed a new law that, among other things, establishes telehealth reimbursement parity, permits phone-based care and expands telehealth use in substance abuse treatment. Continue Reading
-
News
21 Jul 2020
CMS Proposes to Boost Telehealth Use in Home Dialysis Programs
CMS is proposing changes to the Medicare End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Prospective Payment System (PPS) that would encourage the use of telehealth and mHealth platforms and tools to expand dialysis treatment to the home. Continue Reading
-
News
17 Jul 2020
Congress Continues to Press for Post-COVID-19 Telehealth Coverage
The latest bill introduced to Congress this week calls for a permanent extension of telehealth freedoms enacted during the pandemic, including coverage for FQHCs, RHCs and telehealth in the patient's home. Continue Reading
-
News
16 Jul 2020
CMS: 9 Million Used Telehealth During Early Days of COVID-19
In a commentary in Health Affairs, CMS Administrator Seema Verma laid out the numbers for telehealth use by Medicare beneficiaries from March through June, and said the agency is still working on a plan for long-term coverage. Continue Reading
-
News
14 Jul 2020
Federal Judge Clears Way for Telemedicine Abortions During Pandemic
A judge has granted a preliminary injunction allowing care providers to prescribe drugs used in medication abortions via virtual care, eliminating the in-person requirement, during the COVID-19 emergency. Continue Reading
-
News
13 Jul 2020
CMS Outlines Telehealth Reimbursement for 2020-21 eCQM Programs
The documents released earlier this month offer details on 42 eCQMs for telehealth services during the 2020 performance period and 39 eCQMs for telehealth services during the 2021 performance period. Continue Reading
-
News
13 Jul 2020
Alaska Lawmakers Push for Telehealth Expansion in 'Frontier' States
Bills filed in both the House and Senate seek telehealth expansion in so-called 'frontier' states to address mental health services. Continue Reading
-
News
10 Jul 2020
FCC Completes COVID-19 Telehealth Program Funding, Plans for Review
With the last of the COVID-19 Telehealth Program awards handed out, the Federal Communications Commission is ready to review the $200 million program's effectiveness and move on to the Connected Care Pilot. Continue Reading
-
News
08 Jul 2020
Community Broadband Programs Bring Telehealth to Underserved Populations
In a new podcast, Craig Settles explains how underserved populations can gain access to telehealth and other resources through the development of community broadband programs. Continue Reading
-
News
07 Jul 2020
Senators Ask HHS, CMS for Telehealth Expansion Timeline, Details
Signed by more than 35 Senators, the letter to HHS and CMS officials asks for 'a written plan and timeline for permanent administrative changes to Medicare rules governing the provision of telehealth.' Continue Reading
-
News
06 Jul 2020
Senators Seek Telehealth Expansion for Substance Abuse Treatment
A bill before the Senate would extend telehealth coverage for substance abuse disorder treatment, including MAT therapy and Medicare reimbursement for audio-only phone calls, beyond the COVID-19 emergency. Continue Reading
-
News
06 Jul 2020
Colorado Expands Telehealth Coverage, Includes Home Health Care Services
A law signed today in Colorado expands Medicaid coverage for telehealth services to include RHCs, FQHCs, The Indian Health Service and home health care providers and boosts private payer coverage. Continue Reading
-
News
02 Jul 2020
After Past Failures, 2 States Push Ahead With New Telehealth Rules
Massachusetts' medical board has issued its first-ever telehealth policy, while Pennsylvania lawmakers are poised to review a telehealth bill that replaces the one vetoed by their governor 2 months ago. Continue Reading
-
News
01 Jul 2020
Rheumatology Group Issues Position Paper Supporting Telehealth Use
The American College of Rheumatology has released a position paper outlining the values and drawbacks of telehealth, and supports the continued use of connected health services beyond the COVID-19 crisis. Continue Reading
-
News
30 Jun 2020
FCC Boosts Rural Health Program Funding to Support Telehealth Expansion
The Federal Communications Commission is adding almost $200 million to the Rural Health Care Program, giving providers more resources to expand broadband connectivity to support telehealth and mHealth platforms. Continue Reading
-
News
29 Jun 2020
House to Debate Extending CARES Act Telehealth Coverage Indefinitely
The latest in a flurry of bills appearing on Capitol Hill calls for Congress to 'continue the telehealth policies implemented by the Trump Administration and through the CARES Act.' Continue Reading
-
News
26 Jun 2020
Michigan Governor Signs New Telehealth Coverage Guidelines Into Law
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed into a law a package of bills that will give providers more Medicaid coverage for telehealth and allow them to use remote patient monitoring and asynchronous platforms more freely. Continue Reading
-
News
26 Jun 2020
CMS Moves to Make COVID-19 Home Health Telehealth Expansion Permanent
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is proposing to make telehealth coverage enacted during the COVID-19 crisis permanent for home health care providers - though providers still won't be reimbursed. Continue Reading
-
News
24 Jun 2020
Idaho Governor Makes COVID-19 Telehealth Expansion Permanent
Idaho is the latest state to give its healthcare providers the freedom to continue using expanded telehealth and mHealth services to patients beyond the coronavirus emergency. Continue Reading
-
News
22 Jun 2020
Lawmakers Want a Full Study of Telehealth During the COVID-19 Crisis
A bill before Congress calls on the Health and Human Services Department and the Government Accountability Office to produce separate studies on how telehealth has been used to address the coronavirus pandemic. Continue Reading
-
News
19 Jun 2020
New Bill Would OK Telehealth Anywhere For 6 Months After COVID-19 Emergency
A bill introduced this week would enable providers to use telehealth to treat patients in any location up to 180 days after the emergency, bypassing site restriction and interstate licensing guidelines. Continue Reading
-
News
18 Jun 2020
Telehealth Advocates Launch Task Force to Lobby for Permanent Policy Changes
The American Telemedicine Association, Alliance for Connected Care and NCQA are spearheading a new task force aimed at lobbying Congress to keep the momentum going to telehealth access and coverage beyond COVID-19. Continue Reading
-
Answer
15 Jun 2020
Experts Weigh in on Post-COVID-19 Telehealth Rules and Policies
Congress and CMS are being inundated with requests to make permanent telehealth guidelines enacted to expand coverage during the coronavirus pandemic. Here's a rundown of what they're requesting. Continue Reading
-
News
12 Jun 2020
New Bill Aims to Make Telehealth Coverage Permanent for FQHCs, RHCs
A bill introduced this week in the House would ensure Medicare coverage for telehealth services provided by FQHCs and RHCs and eliminate originating site facility and location requirements for distant site telehealth services. Continue Reading
-
News
10 Jun 2020
Louisiana Lawmakers Expand Access to Mental Health Services via Telehealth
Louisiana lawmakers have passed legislation adding mental health services to the state's telehealth toolkit and expanding the list of providers able to use the technology. Continue Reading
-
News
05 Jun 2020
FTC Weighs In On Expanding CMS Telehealth Coverage Beyond COVID-19
The Federal Trade Commission has offered its views on several proposals to expand Medicare and Medicaid coverage for telehealth services after the COVID-19 emergency is over. Continue Reading
-
News
04 Jun 2020
HHS, CMS Offer More Support for COVID-19 Telehealth Adoption, Expansion
HHS is investing another $250 million in CARES Act funding to help health systems and hospitals develop telehealth programs, while CMS has announced plans to adjust payment and service delivery models. Continue Reading
-
News
03 Jun 2020
Community Health Centers Need a Telehealth Strategy, Resources to Survive
A new Health Affairs article notes how community health centers have struggled to use telehealth before and during COVID-19, and offers advice to help CHCs embrace connected health in the future. Continue Reading
-
News
02 Jun 2020
Colorado Lawmakers Join Effort to Make Telehealth Coverage Permanent
A bill before Colorado's state senate aims to compel payers to cover more telehealth services, including care delivered to health centers and over an audio-only phone, beyond the current coronavirus pandemic. Continue Reading
-
News
28 May 2020
Rhode Island Lawmakers Look to Make Telehealth Coverage Permanent
A bill making its way through the State Senate would require payers in the state to permanently cover telehealth services - including audio-only phone calls and care delivered to the patient's home. Continue Reading