During the pandemic, CMS updated its policies to allow all beneficiaries access to covered audio and video calls for telehealth purposes, expanded services covered for telehealth and increased the reimbursement rate for virtual visits. The changes were made on a temporary basis to extend through the COVID-19 crisis, but many, including the FTC, hope to see them on a permanent basis.
Telehealth can reduce roadblocks to care for older adults across both rural and urban settings, including urban areas where underserved populations have provider shortages, states the FTC in the letter. Medicare beneficiaries also often have limited mobility, and telehealth can help them access their care team more easily.
“Telehealth can potentially increase the supply of accessible practitioners and thereby enhance price and non-price competition, reduce transportation expenditures and improve access and choice of quality care,” states the letter. “Many experts consider reducing restrictions on Medicare reimbursement of telehealth services especially important for fulfilling telehealth’s potential, not only because Medicare places substantial limitations on using telehealth services, but also because Medicare influences the reimbursement policies of state Medicaid programs and private payers.”
The FTC also supports CMS continuing to cover audio-only telehealth visits and eliminate the direct supervision of non-physician practitioners in non-institutional settings.
More articles on telehealth:
Bill would require government to study impact of telehealth during pandemic
UCLA report: Telehealth must address broadband, infrastructure issues for vulnerable populations
Some temporary telehealth provisions will become permanent, CMS chief says
