Federal and State Policy Changes Since COVID-19

A recorded presentation from Mei Kwong, Executive Director for the Center for Connected Health Policy to Telehealth stake holders in the state of Utah on August 14, 2020.

https://youtu.be/_ISqtov72no

Northwest Regional Telehealth Resource Center

Regions Served:
Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming

Your source for confidential, objective answers and valuable insights into Telehealth issues in the Northwest.

NRTRC provides technical assistance, program support, education and information to Telehealth Networks in our seven-state region. Our staff members have strong backgrounds in multiple aspects of Telehealth and access to a wide range of Telehealth experts throughout the United States. Our primary mission is to increase the use of Telehealth service throughout the region, especially to underserved populations. To achieve that goal, we provide no-cost assistance to Telehealth providers. As one of 14 Telehealth Resource Centers in the United States, NRTRC has access to leaders in the industry on a wide range of topics and can help your program grow. Don’t hesitate to contact us for assistance, information or encouragement.

From Telehealth News:

NRTRC COVID-19 and Telehealth Resources

December 01, 2020

Telehealth has been recognized as a safe means of delivering care during the current coronavirus public health emergency. Several federal and state agencies have relaxed regulations to facilitate the delivery of telehealth. The feed below compiles updated links to updates to policies and helpful resources all in one location.

Final Policy, Payment, and Quality Provisions Changes to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for Calendar Year 2021 12/1/20

The upcoming NRTRC Office Hours on Wednesday, December 9, 2020 12:00-1:00pm MST we will be sharing a webinar: Optimizing Telehealth Opportunities and Revenue Capture

Join the Northwest RegionalTelehealth Resource Center and othertelehealth experts to highlight strategies to optimize revenue capture fortelehealth and virtual services. We will also cover related patientperspectives we are hearing from the field. This webinar brings practicalguidance and a curated set of resources geared towards our seven-state region(AK, ID, MT, OR, UT, WA, WY). We will primarily focus on the outpatientsetting, touching on primary and specialty care, behavioral health, caremanagement and more. You don’t want to miss this webinar if you are a biller,coder, revenue cycle specialist, manager, clinician or care team member! (CME pending)

In mid-November, the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released an interim final rule allowing VA healthcare professionals to practice across state lines beyond the COVID-19 public health emergency as long as it is in accordance with the scope and requirements of their VA employment 12/1/20

Natonal Rural Health Days. Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) is hosting HRSA a variety of events throughout the week of November 16 to celebrate National Rural Health Day (NRHD) on November 19. While these events are open to the public, registration is required for some events. 11/16/20

Legislation and Regulation updates for the Northwest Region click here for details 11/09/20

FCC announces a Connected Care Pilot Porgram that will provide up to $100 million from the Universal Service Fund over a three year period. Application period opened November 6, 2020 and closes Monday, December 7, 2020. For a full description of the program click here. For Connected Care Pilot Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) click here. For the application click here. 11/06/20

Center for Connected Health Policy released the Fall 2020 State Telehealth Laws and Reimbursement Policies Report 10/20/20

CMS provides reimbursement for additonal codes to be covered by Medicare during PHE. 10/15/20

October Webinars:

The HHS-ASPR Telehealth Hack Series is transitioning to the National Consortium of Telehealth REsource Centers to present a two-part webinar series: Technology and ADA Compliance. This two-part series takes place Wednesday, October 21, 11:00am-12:00pm PT and Monday, October 26, 11:00am-12:00pm PT. Please visit the National Consortium websit at www.telehealthresourcescenter.org for more information and to register. 10/15/20

PHE Extended and other updates from Center for Connected Health Policy 10/14/20

Upcoming HRSA and Telehealth Resource Center October Webinars, including Telehealth Hacks Technology and ADA Compliance 10/12/20

ATA's Comments on 2021 Physican Fee Schedule Proposed Rule 9/24/20

COVID 19 Frequently Asked Questions On Medicare Fee for Service Billing 9/11/20

CMS Proposed 2021 Phyican Fee Schedule Fact Sheet 8/4/20

New HHS Telehealth website for providers and patients

CMSMedicare Coverage and Payment of Virtual Services 16 minute video

CMS MLN New Expanded Flexibilitiesfor RHCs and FQHCs 4/17/2020 - billing as distant sites