During the worst of the global pandemic, telehealth likely saved many physician practices from financial ruin. Telehealth also kept patients from risking their lives trying to access routine medical, occupational, and mental healthcare.
Federal payers relaxed HIPAA rules to allow the use of Zoom and other common videoconferencing technologies during the public health emergency (PHE) and expanded the telehealth categories covered under federal plans. Many private insurers followed suit, with some even covering patient deductibles and co-pays for select services.
Telehealth visits have slowed as the pandemic ebbs and patients are increasingly comfortable seeking in-person care, but relaxed rules are expected to remain for a period after the PHE ends. However, while telehealth visits are down, enforcement efforts are ramping up, including audits of telehealth claims.
The full article, “Evaluating the Promise of Telehealth,” authored by Andria Jacobs, RN, MS, CEN, CPHQ, chief operating officer for PCG Software, can be found on pages 22-23 of BC Advantage Magazine’s July/August 2021 issue.
