Policy changes during COVID-19
The federal government has taken steps to make providing and receiving care through telehealth easier. Stay up to date on the latest telehealth policy developments.
Upcoming Telehealth Policy Changes
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 extended many of the Medicare telehealth flexibilities authorized during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Please check with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid for any updates.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently published policy updates for Medicare telehealth services.
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Medicare Clinician Services:
- CMS clarified that temporary telehealth services added during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) will continue either for an extension period of 151 days after the end of the PHE or through the end of Calendar Year 2023.
- Telehealth services provided in the office setting will continue to be paid at the non-facility rate (higher payment) through the end of the year in which the PHE ends or the end of Calendar Year 2023.
- CMS will not implement new codes for remote therapeutic monitoring (RTM) as initially proposed.
- Medicare Hospital Outpatient Services: CMS finalized a permanent policy allowing clinical staff of hospital outpatient departments including Critical Access Hospitals to provide remote behavioral health services to patients in their homes.
- Home Health Agencies: CMS is adding new billing codes for Home Health telecommunications technology. Agencies may voluntarily report the codes starting January 1, 2023 but must report these codes starting July 1, 2023.
HIPAA flexibility for telehealth technology
Providers have more flexibility to use everyday technology for virtual visits during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Medicare and Medicaid policies
Federal waivers and policies now make it easier for providers to deliver telehealth services to Medicare and Medicaid patients.
Telehealth licensing requirements and interstate compacts
Providers can deliver telehealth services across state lines, depending on rules set by state and federal policies.
Prescribing controlled substances
During the COVID-19 public health emergency, authorized providers can prescribe controlled substances via telehealth, without the need for an in-person medical evaluation.
Telehealth policy updates
Federal legislation continues to expand and extend telehealth services for rural health, behavioral health, and telehealth access options beyond the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.
Telehealth policy changes after the COVID-19 public health emergency
Stay up to date on the latest telehealth policy developments.
Did you know?
Health care providers eligible to bill for Medicare can bill for telehealth services regardless of where the patient or provider is located through December 31, 2024. For more information about what is covered, see:
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Medicare Coverage and Payment of Virtual Services
(video) — from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- List of Telehealth Services — from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Current State Laws & Reimbursement Policies
— from the National Policy Center - Center for Connected Health Policy
- Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023
For an overview of federal and state COVID-19 reimbursement rules, watch this video on telehealth reimbursement policy .