The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act has appropriated $200 million to help health care providers provide telehealth services to patients at their homes or mobile locations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Telehealth Program will reimburse rural and non-rural health care providers for the purchase of telecommunications, information services, and connected devices necessary to provide telehealth services to patients in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. Devices for which funding is requested must be integral to patient care. Services and equipment purchased on or after March 13, 2020 are eligible for reimbursement. There is a $1 million maximum per award.
This program is limited to nonprofit and public eligible health care providers such as: (1) post-secondary educational institutions offering health care instruction, teaching hospitals, and medical schools; (2) community health centers or health centers providing health care to migrants; (3) local health departments or agencies; (4) community mental health centers; (5) not-for-profit hospitals; (6) rural health clinics; (7) skilled nursing facilities; or (8) consortia of health care providers consisting of one or more entities falling into the first seven categories.
Eligible health care providers that are approved for funding will be required to submit an invoicing form and supporting documentation in order to receive reimbursement. Applicants who receive funding will be required to comply with all program rules and requirements, including applicable reporting requirements, and may be subject to compliance audits.
The Telehealth Program is administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the application for reimbursement is available at: https://www.fcc.gov/covid-19-telehealth-program. Applications will be accepted until the funds are exhausted.
Telehealth Program FAQs: https://www.fcc.gov/covid-19-telehealth-program-frequently-asked-questions-faqs
Watch Health Quality Innovators’ recent webinar called “Leveraging Telehealth to Mitigate the Spread of COVID-19.” This webinar will help you:
- Describe recent changes to telehealth rules
- Understand the services that can be provided via telehealth services
- Prepare your practice and staff to rapidly implement telehealth services, to include reviewing recommended workflows, platform options and how the exam can be conducted
- Understand how to code and bill telehealth visits
Access the following resources:
Webinar recording: https://bit.ly/2Kk0KO1 (Access Password: M5&7613?)
PowerPoint handout: https://bit.ly/3epa6FU
Telehealth Services Webinar Questions and Answers: https://bit.ly/2wUMKaz
Tips for Engaging Patients via Telehealth: https://bit.ly/2Khrn6n
Please submit your questions or comments to: jhayes@hqi.solutions.