ATA lauds CMS' proposed telemedicine expansion

The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) praised CMS changes that would expand coverage of telehealth services for Medicare beneficiaries starting next month. “The proposed new rules, while incremental, represent another step toward integrating the use of telecommunications technology into the delivery of healthcare,” said Jonathan D. Linkous, chief executive officer of ATA. "ATA encourages CMS to finalize these changes."

• Expanding the areas where telehealth service can be provided to include the fringes of metropolitan areas
• Adding coverage for transitional care management services and explicitly stating that coverage includes the Evaluation and Management portion of these services
• Adding coverage for chronic care services for patients with multiple chronic conditions that are expected to last at least 12 months or until the death of the patient, and that place the patient at significant risk of death, acute exacerbation/decompensation, or functional decline
• Increasing the fee for patient sites to $24.63 from $24.43

Source: ATA