Trump, CMS Expand Medicare Telehealth Services During COVID-19

The Trump administration, in collaboration with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), announced that Medicare telehealth coverage will be expanded due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), offering more resources and health care services to beneficiaries without having to leave their homes.

“These changes allow seniors to communicate with their doctors without having to travel to a health care facility so that they can limit risk of exposure and spread of this virus. Clinicians on the frontlines will now have greater flexibility to safely treat our beneficiaries,” said CMS Administrator Seema Verma.

Beginning March 6, 2020, Medicare will temporarily pay clinicians to provide telehealth services for beneficiaries residing across the entire country, according to CMS’ press release.

Previously, Medicare was only able to cover telehealth services for routine visits under certain circumstances, such as offering care in rural areas, and even then, beneficiaries had to travel to local medical facilities to access telehealth services from doctors in other remote locations.

These changes will allow beneficiaries to use telehealth services for common office visits, mental health counseling, and preventive health screenings.

According to the press release, telehealth services are paid under the Physician Fee Schedule at the same amount as in-person services. Medicare coinsurance and deductible still apply for these services.

Additionally, the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) is providing flexibility for health care providers to reduce or waive cost-sharing for telehealth visits paid by federal health care programs.

While telehealth services present improved access to patients and providers, there has always been concern about data privacy and adherence to HIPPA regulations. The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at HHS announced that effective immediately, the agency will exercise “enforcement discretion and will waive potential penalties for HIPAA violations against health care providers that serve patients through everyday communications technologies during the COVID-19 nationwide public health emergency.”

“We are empowering medical providers to serve patients wherever they are during this national public health emergency,” said Roger Severino, OCR Director. “We are especially concerned about reaching those most at risk, including older persons and persons with disabilities.” —Edan Stanley