COVID

Telehealth waivers during the COVID-19 public health emergency are expiring.

FDA Recalls February 10 - 23, 2023

“In the summer of 2021, when the delta variant was near its peak, I attempted a house call visit to review laboratory results and discuss treatment options. The family of the elderly patient did not want anyone in the house and recommended leaving the results and instructions at the front door. Lab results, my interpretation of the results, prescription and instructions were left at the front door as instructed. This, of course, required driving to the patient’s residence to accomplish this. How could this scenario be billed to Medicare?”

The CDC has recently stated that individuals who have been vaccinated do not need to wear masks. As a result, many states have lifted mask restrictions. This begs the question of what to do if your state has lifted mask restrictions and somebody walks into your office without a mask?

This means that the CMS 1135 Waivers have been extended through April 20. Some of the waivers may impact your practice while most of the waivers are related to hospital care.

CMS announced amended terms for payments issued under the Accelerated and Advance Payment (AAP) Program as required by recent action by President Trump and Congress. This Medicare loan program allows CMS to make advance payments to providers, which are typically used in emergency situations. Under the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act, repayment will now begin one year from the issuance date of each provider or supplier’s accelerated or advance payment. CMS issued $106 billion in payments to providers and suppliers in order to alleviate the financial burden health care providers faced while experiencing cash flow issues in the early stages of combating the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency.

As COVID numbers start an uptick, private insurers are making additional changes to their coverage policies.