COVID-19: Feds Ease Up on HIPAA Under Telehealth Expansion

Why This Topic Matters

The article matters because it summarizes emergency-era federal guidance that affected how telehealth could be delivered and documented, while reminding readers that state requirements and payer rules may still apply. It helps organizations assess whether their remote care workflows fit within the temporary flexibilities described by CMS, HHS, OCR, and OIG.

Article Sections

1. Background

   Introduces the COVID-19 public health emergency context and the federal telehealth expansion discussed in the article.

2. FaceTime, Skype Are OK for F2F Encounters Now

   Summarizes federal guidance on telehealth communication technologies and the related HIPAA enforcement discretion announced during the emergency.

3. Don't Forget That State Laws Still Apply

   Reviews the continuing importance of state-level telehealth requirements and payer-specific considerations alongside federal flexibility.