“During a live virtual event yesterday with STAT News, CMS Administrator Seema Verma expressed support for permanently expanding access to telehealth services after the COVID-19 public health emergency resolves. As we discussed in a series of posts in April and May, the federal government and multiple states took swift action in response to the COVID-19 emergency to increase access to telehealth. The steps taken included temporary executive and regulatory orders, emergency legislation, and sub-regulatory guidance, which resulted in expanded reimbursement by private and public payors, easing of professional licensing requirements, and waiver of certain technical requirements to allow for the use of different types of technology.”
“Thankfully, providers and patients across the country are taking advantage of telehealth services, allowing individuals to safely continue seeing their providers during a time when maintenance of physical and mental health is more important than ever. However, as states and municipalities begin to reopen and the federal and state governments look ahead to our ‘new normal,’ providers, payors, and patients need to be aware of which telehealth changes have a defined expiration date, which will continue in effect until the end of applicable emergency declarations, and which changes are or may become permanent. The list of actions below is by no means exhaustive but aims to provide a broad overview of the legislative, regulatory, and sub-regulatory landscape currently governing the telehealth space, including the various triggers for returning to pre-COVID requirements…” Read the full article here.
Source: CMS Administrator Verma Calls for Permanent Expansion of Telehealth Access after COVID-19. Will States Follow Suit? – By Ellen L. Janos and Cassandra L Paolillo, June 10, 2020. Mintz.
