Recently, the US Department of Health and Humans Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) released a data brief analyzing telehealth services covered by Medicare and related program integrity risks. OIG sought to evaluate the impacts on program integrity due to the regulatory flexibilities implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic…
The use of telemedicine has exploded over the last few years. The COVID-19 pandemic spurred a shift from in-person services to services provided by telemedicine. As healthcare providers and patients experience the added convenience of telemedicine in some circumstances, some of the large-scale shifts to telemedicine will likely become permanent.…
As telemedicine becomes an increasingly popular method for connecting patients with healthcare providers, many providers are becoming interested in expanding the reach of their telehealth practices across state lines. Although technological advancements have helped providers communicate with patients remotely, state and federal regulations add additional considerations for practicing across multiple…
On March 15, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act, otherwise known as the “Omnibus Bill.” Included in the many provisions introduced by the Omnibus Bill is an extension of Medicare coverage of professional consultations, office visits, and office psychiatry services conducted via telemedicine for 151 days…
In response to the mounting nationwide shortage of healthcare workers, one state will allow certain healthcare workers to practice solely on out-of-state licenses. This move may signal similar actions by other states and could have wide-ranging implications for the delivery of healthcare services. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic,…
During the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) waived many of the restrictions that limited Medicare coverage for healthcare services for telemedicine and allowed for much greater use of these services. Among these was the…
Many of the Medicare requirements surrounding telemedicine have been greatly relaxed or waived entirely during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Providers and patients wondered if these changes would end or if some might become permanent. In May 2021, Congress introduced H.R.3447, a bill to amend the Social Security Act to…
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the Medicare requirements surrounding telemedicine have been greatly relaxed or waived entirely. These temporary waivers, including allowing Medicare coverage of certain audio-only services, have been welcome changes for many providers and patients. With the end of the pandemic in sight, many are wondering if…
Two nurse practitioners, with Medicare patients based in Montana, recently pled guilty to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud. The two NPs were among 345 other healthcare professionals charged in a nationwide healthcare fraud and opioid action undertaken by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) in September 2020. This alleged…