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Telehealth has been around for decades, but the COVID-19 pandemic thrust it into the spotlight when patients couldn’t see practitioners in-person. Suddenly, telehealth via video, audio, text, and email became a lifeline, one that’s especially beneficial for patients who have an established relationship with providers, those dealing with chronic conditions, people living in rural areas, and those seeking behavioral health services. And, with 90% of U.S. adults owning smartphones, telehealth has the potential to make healthcare more equitable and accessible than ever before.
Telehealth’s Impact on Risk Scores
As telehealth utilization continues to climb, it has become increasingly important to consider its impact on the calculation of member risk scores. CMS frequently revises policies that influence coding, documentation, billing, and the eligibility of practitioners to provide telehealth services. The significant changes initiated by CMS during the pandemic have prompted extensive rulemaking in order to reevaluate reimbursement rates based on the method and location of care delivery.