Doctors Struggle to Get Paid for Telehealth Visits

Telehealth reimbursement during the COVID-19 pandemic has increased rapidly compared with its previously slow uptake, but providers say they’re not being paid to the extent they are being promised — or anywhere close to the amounts they made with in-person visits. That’s partially due to a lack of clear information and inconsistent policies across the country’s patchwork of insurance plans.

MedPage Today

Katko urges Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to expand telehealth access for seniors

U.S. Rep. John Katko (R-NY) recently made a bipartisan request that America’s senior citizens have expanded access to Medicare-covered telehealth services.

“Currently, Medicare only reimburses recipients for services conducted with audio and video equipment, excluding coverage of mental healthcare services provided over the phone,” Rep. Katko said on April 9. “With telehealth services being the only way millions of Americans have access to mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is imperative that CMS [Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services] immediately acts to expand coverage to audio-only telehealth services, ensuring all Medicare recipients have access to mental healthcare.”

The RiponAdvance