This page includes frequently asked questions about national and state policies that impact the provision of care by telehealth!
FAQs about NATIONAL POLICIES for Telehealth Practice & REIMBURSEMENT
Q. Where can I find the most up-to-date national and/or regional information about coverage policies and telehealth services during the COVID-19 crisis?
A. HERE! Click this link to the: General Telehealth information provided by the Upper Midwest Health Telehealth Resource Center. This website includes direct links to WHO/CDC websites, as well as to the National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers website, CCHP’s COVID-19 Fact Sheet & link to CCHP’s Telehealth Coverage Policies in the time of COVID-19 as well as a link to state legislation related to COVD-19. The resources on this site are frequently UPDATED! And the dates for when the information was updated are provided. This is a comprehensive list of amazing resources!!
Q. Where can I find the emergency waivers for healthcare providers offered by CMS?
A. Click here: CMS COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Health Care Provider This fact sheet provides waiver information regarding skilled nursing facilities, critical access hospitals, housing acute care patients in excluded distinct part units, durable medical equipment, inpatient psychiatric units, inpatient rehabilitation, LTACHs, Home health agencies, provider enrollment, Medicare appeals, and Medicaid and CHIP information.
Q. Is Telehealth covered under Medicare?
A. This Medicare.gov web page Medicare & Coronavirus provides information regarding Medicare and telehealth related services. For specific telehealth information, a link is provided in the box at the top of the page which guides the user to direct telehealth information on this page.
Q. Is there a quick overview with key takeaways for providers regarding Medicare and telehealth?
A. This link Medicare Telemedicine Health Care Provider Fact Sheet provides an overview of the expansion of telehealth with 1135 waiver, describes types of virtual visits and includes CPT codes and key takeaways regarding each type of encounter. At the bottom of the page is a small (easily printable chart) that includes a summary of these type of services with HCPCS/CPT Codes.
Q. Are there any specialized guidelines for HIPAA in emergency situations?
A,. This link HHS Health Information Privacy provides access to HHS website on Emergency Situations and Preparedness. This is information that address COVID-19 and HIPAA flexibility, planning, response, and waiver links with access to more information.
Q. How will recently enacted legislation allow CMS to utilized Medicare telehealth to address the Coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency?
A. This document Medicare telehealth FAQs was created by CMS on 3/17/2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and new surge in telehealth visits.
FAQs about STATE POLICIES & REIMBURSEMENT in response to COVID-19
Q. What flexibilities are available in the Medicaid program are available to provide care via telehealth for individuals who are quarantined or self-isolated to limit risk of exposure?
A, This link Medicaid.gov provides information on telemedicine terms, provider and facility guidelines, state requirements/guidelines, as well as CMS’ approach to reviewing telemedicine SPAs. On this webpage created by Medicaid.gov, you will find an overview of fee-for-service telehealth with samples of state plan fee-for-service payment methodologies for telehealth.
Q. What are the `new temporary policy changes that Ohio Medicaid is making for telehealth during a state of emergency?
A, This document Telehealth during a State of Emergency was created by Medicaid Ohio and contains guidelines for Emergency Rule during COVID-19.
Q. Where can I find a list of services reimbursed in Ohio through telehealth during the COVID-19 crisis?
A, This document (provided by UMTRC) Services reimbursed in Ohio through telehealth lists various procedure codes for telehealth services reimbursed during a state of emergency. It is 6 pages and can be easily printed or uploaded for use in offices as a reference guide.
Q. Is there a website where I can locate a quick overview of the Ohio Department of Medicaid Telehealth Rules?
A. This website Ohio Department of Medicaid Telehealth Rules FAQs provides information from the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS). It contains new Governor’s Executive Orders and amendments. It also answers questions related to: filing rules, emergency rule package, clinician guidelines, organizational guidelines, and information on community behavioral health services, limitations on where patients and practitioners can be located, electronic streaming services, HIPAA compliance, and submitting claims.