As coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) continues to spread in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) recommends the use of telehealth services to help mitigate the outbreak. Telemedicine technologies and other self-assessment tools can assist providers to treat patients and prevent them from entering health care facilities where they may expose the general public to infection.
Telemedicine is a rapidly growing method of practicing medicine by way of electronic communication. Engaging in remote healthcare allows providers to reach more patients by providing health care services, such as primary and specialty care, and remote patient monitoring, via virtual conferencing rather than requiring patients to travel to an office or hospital.
Providers can protect their patients and staff during the COVID-19 outbreak through the use of telemedicine technologies. Self-quarantined patients may access healthcare professionals from the safety of their own homes, allowing providers to evaluate whether in-person medical testing and treatment is necessary. This approach reduces the likelihood of exposing other individuals, including medical staff.
The use of telemedicine to help combat the spread of COVID-19 is not only being supported by Federal and state health care programs, but also by private payors. Currently, Medicare coverage of telemedicine is incredibly limited. However, the Coronavirus Funding Bill would expand current Medicare coverage of telemedicine beyond patients located in rural areas in order to help treat the ongoing crisis. Additionally, with respect to private payors, Aetna recently announced it would waive copays for COVID-19 testing, as well as telemedicine visits for the next ninety days.
How Frier Levitt Can Help?
While telemedicine affords healthcare providers an opportunity to grow and develop their businesses, it may be especially useful to effectively treat patients and help reduce exposure during the COVID-19 outbreak. All providers and entities engaging in telemedicine must ensure their compliance with applicable state and Federal laws, which enumerate requirements for the practice of telemedicine. For more detail on how telemedicine may help protect your patients and staff, or for regulatory evaluation of your current telehealth business model, contact Frier Levitt.
