The Public Health Emergency introduced a myriad of changes to federal and state telemedicine and digital health laws and rules. There were expansions to telehealth coverage and reimbursement, suspension of enforcement on HIPAA security for digital health, expedited FDA review processes, DEA exemptions of controlled substance prescribing rules, and state waivers of medical licensure requirements.
Dr. John T. Nasr has faced several challenges in the months since the coronavirus took hold in New Jersey. Among his most troublesome: how to deliver care when his patients, nervous about the risk of infection, stayed home after his medical offices ended in-person visits.
The need for increased virtual care has become increasingly clear during the pandemic. In rural areas like Arcadia, Mayo Clinic Health System is adding to their telehealth services. Patients will be able to see specialists in other Mayo sites like in La Crosse and Rochester.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota announced Monday it would extend its modified virtual-care coverage through the end of 2021. The covered services include behavioral health, physical and speech therapy, and medication management. The changes apply to people with fully insured commercial plans, individuals who purchase Blue Cross insurance and seniors with Medicare plans. Self-insured employers can choose to make the changes for their plans as well.
As part of his 2021 of the State address, Texas Governor, Greg Abbott, introduced his intention to permanently expand telemedicine services that were made available during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Virtual healthcare has exploded during the pandemic, while traditional primary care offices have closed at an extraordinary rate. Can telehealth really replace primary care as our health system’s first line of defense?