CMS expands Medicare telehealth services to fight COVID-19

The Trump administration on Monday announced that it will expand telehealth services for Medicare beneficiaries and cut back on HIPAA enforcement, the latest move to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

Medicare will pay doctors and hospitals for a broad range of telehealth services on a temporary basis, effective March 6. The program will pay for office and hospital telehealth visits and include a wide range of providers including nurse practitioners, clinical psychologists and social workers. Telehealth visits will be reimbursed for the same amount as in-person visits.

“These services can also be provided in a variety of settings, including nursing homes, hospital outpatient departments and more,” CMS Administrator Seema Verma said.

Full Article