Telehealth in a Post-COVID World: Change Now Before It's Too Late!
From lockdowns to mask-wearing, the COVID pandemic brought many changes to our way of life, including the medical system.
Following the official public health emergency (PHE) designation, authorities adjusted telehealth rules, regulations, and guidelines to make it more accessible for providers and their patients.
Now that the PHE has ended, some rules we’ve grown accustomed to will fall by the wayside. Here’s what you need to know to ensure your practice knows what’s changing in the world of telehealth and what’s here to stay.
What is Telemedicine and Why is It On the Rise?
The pandemic didn’t only prove that remote work is a viable way to run a business. It taught us that telemedicine is a superior way to perform routine healthcare visits—especially for those in remote locations or who otherwise find it difficult to make in-person appointments (seniors, people with disabilities, low-income individuals, etc.).
However, not all the changes will continue, as many regulations will expire by December 2024, if not earlier. That means your practice needs to get up to speed on the latest regulations in order to become and stay compliant.
What Telemedicine Rules Are Changing After COVID?
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Government’s annual omnibus spending bill—the Consolidated Appropriations Act(s)—implemented new telemedicine appointment policies throughout the pandemic in response to the once-in-a-lifetime circumstances.
Several of these policies have already changed following the end of the public health emergency. Some will end at the start of 2025, while others remain permanent parts of our government-backed healthcare plans.
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Telehealth Changes to Medicare After the PHE
After May 12, 2023, the COVID public health emergency officially ended.
- With few exceptions, frequency limitations for telehealth services have returned.
- Providers must collect at least 16 days of data before billing and before administering RPM services.
- Opioid treatment programs (OTPs) must furnish periodic assessments in person or via two-way interactive communication.
- Virtual check-in codes (G2012, G2010, G2252) and remote patient monitoring codes are only allowed for established patients.
- All telehealth platforms must be HIPAA compliant. Smartphone video options such as FaceTime and Skype are no longer valid.
Temporary Telehealth Changes to Medicare
At the end of 2023 and 2024, some rules you’re used to will expire if the government doesn’t pass new laws that extend or codify them. Until then, your team can continue to take advantage of the following rules:
- FQHCs and RHCs can serve as distant site providers for non-behavioral/mental telehealth services.
- Medicare patients can receive telehealth services in their homes.
- Geographic restrictions on originating sites for non-behavioral/mental telehealth services are eliminated.
- Some non-behavioral/mental telehealth services can be delivered using audio-only communication platforms.
- Unless otherwise indicated, all other services on the Medicare Telehealth Services list require audio-video equipment permitting two-way, real-time interactive communication.
- In-person visits within six months of an initial behavioral/mental telehealth service and annually thereafter are not required.
- All eligible Medicare providers can provide telehealth services.
- Incident-to services via virtual supervision will no longer be allowed after Dec. 31, 2023.
- Medicare patients can remain home for telehealth visits Medicare pays for instead of traveling to a healthcare facility.
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Permanent Telehealth Changes to Medicare
Many of the long-term changes coming to Medicare concern mental and behavioral health, which by some estimates, have seen a 45x explosion in telemedicine usage. Here are some of the permanent fixtures you can expect moving forward:
- Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) can remain remote telemedicine providers for mental and behavioral health.
- Medicare patients can receive telehealth services for behavioral/mental health care in their homes.
- Geographic restrictions on originating sites of behavioral and mental health services have ended.
- Audio-only platforms are approved for behavioral/mental telehealth services.
- Rural Emergency Hospitals (REH) are now eligible originating sites for telehealth.
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The Future of Telemedicine Appointments
The future outlook for Medicare telemedicine coverage is in a state of limbo. Currently, many regulations that enable providers to deliver remote care at scale will expire within one to two years if they haven’t already.
That being said, Congress will probably codify some of the existing regulations in the near future. While not everything will survive into 2025 and beyond, providers can expect telemedicine appointments to not only remain an important part of their business but continue to expand as the technologies become more advanced, reliable, and beneficial for patients.
Take Your Practice Administration Remote With DrCatalyst
Telemedicine isn’t the only thing going remote. At DrCatalyst, we’re helping practices cut costs, increase efficiency, and improve their branding with remote medical assistants, billers, marketers, revenue cycle management experts, and more.
Backed by an experienced team and passionate staff, we can ensure your practice stays successful throughout your post-covid transition and into the future. Get in touch with the DrCatalyst team now and discover an all-new, holistic way to build the practice of your dreams.
