Coverage restrictions reportedly limit the effectiveness of telehealth and remote monitoring in the current market, according to a U.S. Government Accountability Office report.
The report details how two-way videoconferencing between patients and providers and continuous off-site patient monitoring can improve care for Medicare beneficiaries. GAO reviewed federal documents and interviewed representatives from nine medical associations, including providers, patients and payers for the report.
The provider and patient associations cited improved quality of care as the main benefit of incorporating telehealth and remote patient monitoring. Telehealth can streamline follow-up care, while remote monitoring can enhance treatment for patients with chronic diseases, according to one of the provider associations.
However, Medicare currently pays for only some telehealth services, which are subject to regulatory requirements. For example, Medicare may limit coverage by requiring a patient to be present at a health clinic — rather than their home — when accessing a telehealth visit. This poses a challenge for providers looking to adopt these services, according to a payer association.
Click here to view the full report.