In response to the onset of the Coronavirus in the US, the Trump Administration announced the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act on March 17, 2020. The Act, which was made effective on March 6, and is considered to be temporary and grants patients access to care through telehealth during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Change Was Made to Limit Exposure to the Coronavirus
Medicare telehealth allows beneficiaries access to their physicians through virtual visits. Prior to the announcement, telehealth services for Medicare beneficiaries was limited to certain circumstances, such as beneficiaries in rural areas who lived a long distance from medical facilities. Since the Coronavirus is so easily transmitted, the change will limit the risk of exposure and the transmission of the virus for both healthcare professionals and their patients. The new change will allow beneficiaries to receive telehealth services in their home.
Scope of New Telehealth Coverage
With the change, beneficiaries will now be able to access a wide range of services from healthcare providers, including physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, and psychologists. In an effort to alleviate the strain on emergency rooms and prevent the spread of the virus, beneficiaries will now be able to receive services such as routine office visits, mental health counseling, and preventive health screenings through telehealth. The complete list of services available through telehealth can be found here.
Will Medicare Pay the Same Amount for Telehealth Services?
Yes. Medicare will pay the same amount for telehealth services as it would if the service were furnished in person. If there are different rates for the service conducted in the office versus the facility (the site of service payment differential), Medicare will use the facility payment rate when services are furnished via telehealth. Regarding beneficiary out of pocket costs, the use of telehealth does not change the out of pocket costs for beneficiaries with Original Medicare. As a general rule, beneficiaries are still liable for their deductible and coinsurance. However, the HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) is providing flexibility for healthcare providers to reduce or waive cost-sharing for telehealth visits paid by federal healthcare programs.
I hope this information helps. Please contact me with any questions.