News You Can Use: Confused by the Current COVID-19 Telehealth Waivers? Here's What You Need to Know

Why This Topic Matters

Temporary telehealth policy changes affected which services could be delivered remotely, how visits were reported, and how payment and compliance considerations were handled during the public health emergency. The article helps readers recognize the areas of telehealth billing and documentation most likely to change during this period.

Article Sections

1. CMS interim final rule and telehealth updates

   Introduces the CMS action taken during the COVID-19 public health emergency and explains that the article is summarizing temporary telehealth guidance and clarifications.

2. More codes added to the Medicare telehealth service list

   Reviews the expansion of the Medicare telehealth service list and notes that additional service categories were made available during the emergency period.

3. Guideline waivers and flexibilities for the PHE

   Covers temporary changes affecting telehealth location, technology, patient status, consent, office/outpatient E/M selection, and payment-related policy during the public health emergency.

4. Private payer considerations

   Summarizes the article’s discussion of private insurer response to the emergency-era telehealth environment and points readers to external payer resources.

5. Coding alert

   Provides a general caution that COVID-19 guidance was changing rapidly and directs readers to authoritative sources for current updates.