CMS changes would expand telehealth services, abolish CME exemption

Among the proposed changes included in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) for calendar year 2015, CMS has included provisions that would eliminate an exemption for reporting certain continuing medical education (CME) payments; and would expand the services Medicare beneficiaries can receive under the telehealth benefit. The proposed rule will be published in the Federal Register today and CMS will accept comments until September 2.

Under CMS’ Open Payments program, applicable manufacturers of covered drugs, devices, biologicals, and medical supplies currently must report payments they make to physicians and teaching hospitals. Continuing education payments are excluded from this requirement. However, changes proposed in the PFS for 2015 include deleting the program’s Continuing Education Exclusion in its entirety. Eliminating the exemption for payments to speakers at certain accredited or certifying CME events will create a more consistent reporting requirement, CMS stated.

Proposed PFS modifications for 2015 would add annual wellness visits, psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, and prolonged evaluation and management to the list of services Medicare beneficiaries can receive under the telehealth benefit.

Source: CMS