The coronavirus pandemic has brought a world of change, some of which might be permanent. Will we ever again pack concerts with close to 100,000 people or jam into subways like sardines? Will mask-wearing and social-distancing carry on long after the pandemic has ended? Has online shopping delivered the final nail in the coffin for brick-and-mortar shopping? Will traditional … [Read more...] about Google search interest in “telehealth” spikes 317% because of pandemic
telehealth
Here’s how to represent telehealth encounters in QRDA I Format for eCQMs
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has posted additional guidance for using the Quality Reporting Document Architecture I (QRDA I) format to represent telehealth encounters for the Eligible Professional and Eligible Clinician electronic clinical quality measures (eCQMs) used in CMS quality reporting programs for the 2020 and 2021 performance periods. There … [Read more...] about Here’s how to represent telehealth encounters in QRDA I Format for eCQMs
Guidance on allowance of telehealth encounters in eCQMs now available
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has posted guidance on the allowance of telehealth encounters for the Eligible Professional and Eligible Clinician electronic clinical quality measures (eCQMs) used in CMS quality reporting programs for the 2020 and 2021 performance periods. Guidance provided applies to eCQMs used in each of the following programs: … [Read more...] about Guidance on allowance of telehealth encounters in eCQMs now available
Public health emergency jumpstarts remote care
From video chats to relaxation of state licensing requirements, the coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the adoption of remote and virtual healthcare services. Here is an update from CMS: Medicare Telehealth Visits: Effective for services starting March 6, 2020, and for the duration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE), Medicare will make payments for Medicare … [Read more...] about Public health emergency jumpstarts remote care
What you need to consider before getting started in telemedicine
By Nick Hernandez bio Many practices are hearing about telemedicine and becoming increasingly interested in how such a program could be implemented in their operations. Physicians want to start a telemedicine program quickly. Practice managers don't want to learn by trial and error. The biggest issue I see by far is that practices immediately focus on the technology. … [Read more...] about What you need to consider before getting started in telemedicine
CY 2019 List of Medicare Telehealth Services
Why you need this tool: Has your practice recently implemented telehealth? If so, you might not know which CPT codes are available for reimbursement. How this tool helps you: This list, compiled by Nick Hernandez of ABISA LLC, will show you which CPT codes are currently (2019) available. How to use this tool: Refer to this list of codes when billing for telehealth services. … [Read more...] about CY 2019 List of Medicare Telehealth Services
CMS finalizes changes to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program
Last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized proposals that it says will address provider burnout and provide clinicians immediate relief from excessive paperwork tied to outdated billing practices. The final 2019 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and the Quality Payment Program (QPP) rule also updates Medicare payment policies to promote access to … [Read more...] about CMS finalizes changes to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program
Telehealth integration offers healthcare advantages for baby boomers
By James B. LeVasseur, Ph.D. bio The looming shortage of qualified doctors and specialists presents a significant challenge for the nation's healthcare system. With more baby boomers requiring healthcare every year, physician demand continues to grow faster than supply. This has created a projected shortfall of between 42,600 and 121,300 physicians, 14,800 to 49,300 … [Read more...] about Telehealth integration offers healthcare advantages for baby boomers
Improving patient health outcomes with telerehab
Orthopedic surgeon Michael Oberlander, MD, believes that telerehab can help alleviate the challenges that patients face with pain and their adherence to physical therapy (PT). Oberlander, president and chief medical officer of Trainer Rx, presented his insights at HIMSS 2018 as one of the speakers at the Intelligent Health Pavilion in Las Vegas, NV. (HIMSS stands for Healthcare … [Read more...] about Improving patient health outcomes with telerehab