Telehealth: CMS Moves Virtual Health Forward

Why This Topic Matters

Telehealth policy changes affect whether new virtual services may be paid, how existing services are valued, and what documentation or compliance issues providers should watch. The article helps readers understand the scope of CMS activity and the coding categories implicated by these proposals.

Article Sections

1. Background

   Introduces the CMS proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule changes for 2019 and frames them within broader documentation, payment, and health IT policy updates.

2. Virtual Options Are on the Horizon for Check-In and Evaluation

   Covers proposed telehealth-related HCPCS services for virtual communication, check-ins, and review of patient-submitted media.

3. Telehealth Upkeep and Education Get a Boost

   Summarizes proposed CPT services related to remote physiologic monitoring and the general payment categories discussed for those services.

4. Bundled Payments May Go Away

   Discusses CMS consideration of separate payment for interprofessional consultation services and the CPT code families involved.

5. Keep Compliance in Check with Telehealth Billing

   Highlights compliance and audit concerns raised by an HHS OIG review of telehealth claims and the broader scrutiny of telehealth billing.