After CMS issues telehealth waiver, know what’s changed — and what hasn’t

Why This Topic Matters

The CMS waiver changed how many clinicians could deliver and bill telehealth services during the public health emergency. Understanding the article helps readers quickly determine whether its guidance applies to Medicare telehealth policy, beneficiary location and setting changes, and related Medicaid/CHIP updates.

Article Sections

1. Telehealth changes during the COVID-19 public health emergency

   Introduces the CMS announcement and the broader context of telehealth policy changes during the COVID-19 emergency. Summarizes the article’s focus on Medicare coverage and payment changes.

2. What Medicare telehealth coverage includes

   Describes the categories of telehealth services discussed in the CMS guidance and the general payment framework. Covers the types of patient communication and service delivery approaches referenced in the article.

3. Medicare telehealth amendments

   Outlines the main flexibilities and limits described in the waiver, including geographic and site changes, as well as what remained unchanged. Also notes related considerations for cost-sharing and other program constraints.

4. Medicaid and CHIP telehealth FAQ update

   Summarizes the CMS FAQ update for Medicaid and CHIP and the article’s discussion of state flexibility for telehealth coverage. Highlights the distinction between federal Medicare changes and state-administered program policies.