![]() ![]() ![]() Under normal circumstances, regulations and pricing issues would hinder growth and adoption, as has been the case historically. It concluded that “although certain legal, regulatory, and reimbursement challenges remain, the COVID-19 outbreak may be the right impetus for lawmakers and regulatory agencies to promulgate further measures that facilitate more widespread adoption of telemedicine.” Despite the stressors that surround us all these days, this is the perfect time to evaluate this technology and its capacity to enhance care.Ī recent paper from The American Journal of Managed Care discussed the need for and challenges to incorporating telemedicine. Some are, as yet, unable to meet the increased demand and for many, the wait times are increasing. Right now, accommodating the new flood of patients seeking virtual care remains a challenge for both small practitioners and larger providers alike. “This recent period has proven virtual care can work for preventive, routine, and maintenance care, and we’re making this decision because the added convenience can bring better health.” “We’re committed to helping our members get the care they need, and telehealth offers them and the providers they trust with more options that fit their everyday needs,” JD Hickey, the company’s president and CEO, said in a press release. ![]() The insurer said it managed 71,000 telehealth claims from March 16 to April 14, 18 times more than the number of claims submitted during that time period last year. The payer had announced in March that it was covering “telephone and video visits” to enable its members to more easily access health services from their homes. We may be seeing the start of a trend in that direction with BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee recently announcing that coverage of virtual visits with in-network providers will continue past the ongoing national emergency. The administration also temporarily eased regulations to allow the use of their mobile devices for patient visits.įor smaller practices, reimbursement rate rules will be a big factor in determining whether they continue with the trend long term. We can expect pressure on the CMS, our legislators, and insurance companies to maintain higher rates for telehealth once the emergency has passed. While these restrictions have only been temporarily lifted on an emergency basis, many believe that COVID-19 has broken the barriers to widespread adoption once and for all.ĬMS also reduced a major cost barrier for telemedicine adoption by smaller practices as it declared Medicare and Medicaid would pay the same rates for virtual visits as for in-office appointments. Providers can use CGM ELVI in urban and rural areas, as well as in the patient’s home, during a public emergency. The emergency declaration under the Stafford Act and the National Emergencies Act waives Medicare’s geographical restrictions on coverage. All of that has changed with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ( CMS) recently announcing expanded telehealth access. ![]() However, issues with reimbursement, along with technology and credentialing hurdles have so far prevented virtual care from fully entering the mainstream. Telemedicine has seen slow growth in recent years, with the rise of apps like ELVI by CompuGroup Medical (CGM), that allow providers to interact with patients anytime, anywhere. Health insurers and hospitals have made a strong push for patients who have milder symptoms to use their telehealth platforms during the crisis to help alleviate the strain on emergency rooms and doctors’ offices, substantially minimizing the risk of exposure to other patients and providers. Forrester Research projects that we are on pace to hit over 1 billion virtual encounters by years end. With the COVID-19 pandemic being so widespread, healthcare providers throughout the US are using virtual services more than ever. Power reported that a scant 9.6% of Americans had used telehealth services, with 74.3% saying they either don’t have access or are unaware of telehealth options.īut how things have quickly changed. Telemedicine has found new prominence, and some would say that it is long overdue. ![]()
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