This update includes: Launch of the Alliance Cross-state Landing page Release of the CY2023 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and ASC Payment System Proposed Rule Renewal of the Public Health Emergency House Energy & Commerce Passage of Five Health and Telecommunications Bills and notable research and news developments
JMIR Publications: Pandemic-Triggered Adoption of Telehealth in Underserved Communities: Descriptive Study of Pre- and Post-shutdown Trends This study explored whether the temporary shift to telehealth services has changed the attitudes toward the usage of technology-enabled health services in rural communities. The study found that the trend in telemedicine claims had an opposite pattern [...]
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth: Experiences with use of technology and telehealth among women with perinatal depression This study aimed to understand women’s perspectives on telehealth services for perinatal depression. The study consisted of seven postpartum and ten pregnant women who shared their experiences using telehealth. Findings suggest that telehealth may be a reasonable [...]
NEJM Catalyst Innovations in Care Delivery: Telemedicine Is Mainstream Care Delivery In this recent survey, a majority of respondents credited telemedicine with improving patient health, providing good quality care and increasing access for vulnerable populations. However, the results also point to challenges that must be addressed as this field becomes more established. Of [...]
National Council for Mental Wellbeing: Innovations in Telehealth in Behavioral Health During COVID-19 The National Council for Mental Wellbeing released the “Innovations in Telehealth in Behavioral Health During COVID-19” report, which examined how the efficacy of telehealth services for mental health and substance use has differed among various populations. The report explored future [...]
Summary: Proposed CY 2023 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System Proposed Rule (CMS 1772-P) On July 15, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the CY2023 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Payment System Proposed Rule, which makes policy [...]
DovePress: Telehealth Encourages Patients with Diabetes in Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups to Return for in-Person Ophthalmic Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic This study evaluates the role telehealth visits played in helping patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) return for subsequent, in-person eye examinations after the outbreak of COVID-19. The study found that patients [...]
American Medical Association: Inside The Big Variations In Telehealth Use Among Physicians According to an American Medical Association survey, telehealth use has dropped off somewhat since adoption skyrocketed at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, but interest in maintaining virtual visits remains high. Telehealth is being used by 85 percent of survey respondents, [...]
In this update, Krista Drobac was quoted in a Politico article. Advocates are still waiting for mental health reforms from the Senate Finance committee. CMS released the Physician Fee Schedule.
Summary: Proposed Calendar Year 2023 Physician Fee Schedule On July 7, 2022, CMS issued the Calendar Year 2023 (CY2023) Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) proposed rule, which makes payment and policy changes under Medicare Part B. CMS is proposing to add some services to the Medicare Telehealth Services List on a Category 3 basis through [...]