Telehealth: A Lifeline for Patients During Coronavirus Outbreak

Author: U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services - Part of Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Published: 2020/03/09 - Updated: 2023/09/14
Publication Type: Announcement / Notification
Topic: Telemedicine or eHealth - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: Telehealth program benefits help patients access their provider without visiting the office and are a lifeline for patients during COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.

CMS historic effort made virtual check-ins and other services that use telecommunications possible with new policies implemented in 2019 and 2020.

With the COVID-19 virus, there is an urgency to expand use of virtual care to keep beneficiaries with mild symptoms at home while increasing access to their provider's office.

Introduction

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a fact sheet with additional guidance for healthcare providers and patients about the telehealth benefits in the agency's Medicare program.

Main Item

The fact sheet is part of a broader effort by CMS and the White House Task Force to ensure that all Americans - particularly those at high-risk of complications from the COVID-19 virus - are aware of easy-to-use, accessible benefits that can help keep them healthy while helping to contain the community spread of this disease.

"As we continue to learn about the COVID-19 virus, it's important for all Americans, and particularly vulnerable populations who are at heightened risk, to be able to access their providers when they feel sick or have questions" said CMS Administrator Seema Verma. "Over the last three years, President Trump's leadership and historic efforts have made it possible for doctors to bill for their time on the phone or video chat with patients to help triage medical issues. Today, a patient who is not feeling well can call their doctor to decide whether or not they need to go in for a visit, offering solutions and peace of mind immediately."

CMS' historic effort made virtual check-ins and other services that use telecommunications possible with new policies implemented in 2019 and 2020. These services are available right now to patients and their physicians, providing a great deal of flexibility and an easy way for patients who are concerned about illness to remain in their home avoiding exposure to others.

With the COVID-19 virus, there is an urgency to expand the use of virtual care to keep the beneficiaries with mild symptoms in their homes while increasing access to their provider's office.

For the beneficiary, these benefits can be very helpful:

For example, a Medicare beneficiary who is looking for advice about symptoms they are experiencing, can call their doctor and receive medical advice about whether he/she needs to see their doctor in person for a physical exam.

If they start to feel more ill, a virtual check-in allows a healthcare provider to offer recommendations about next steps and even take precautions for someone they are concerned may have the COVID-19 virus or flu before they step in the office or hospital putting others at risk.

These check-ins are billable services and the Medicare coinsurance and deductible would apply to these services.

Medicare Advantage plans may also provide enrollees access to Medicare Part B services via telehealth in any geographic area and from a variety of places, including beneficiaries' homes, as part of their benefit packages for a plan year. Therefore, enrollees in Medicare Advantage plans that include coverage of such services may be available to receive clinically appropriate services for treatment of COVID-19 via telehealth from many sites, including their home.

This fact sheet, and earlier CMS actions in response to the COVID-19 virus, are part of the ongoing White House Task Force efforts.

Attribution/Source(s):
This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its significant relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services - Part of Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and published on 2020/03/09 (Edit Update: 2023/09/14), the content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. For further details or clarifications, U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services - Part of Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) can be contacted at cms.gov. NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.

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Citing Information and Page References

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Cite This Page (APA): U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services - Part of Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). (2020, March 9 - Last revised: 2023, September 14). Telehealth: A Lifeline for Patients During Coronavirus Outbreak. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved February 9, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/medical/ehealth/telehealth-covid-19.php

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