CMS Announces Expanded Telehealth Benefits for COVID-19 Outbreak
On March 17, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Trump Administration announced that they would be expanding Medicare’s coverage of telehealth services to ensure that beneficiaries could receive care in the comfort and safety of their own homes during the COVID-19 outbreak. This is coupled with the announcement week before of the guidance issued by CMS of expanded benefits for Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans to help combat the growing coronavirus concern in the United States. The goal of the most recent expansion is to help seniors receive health care without having to leave their homes, potentially exposing themselves to COVID-19 infection.
These changes allow seniors to communicate with their doctors without having to travel to a healthcare facility so that they can limit risk of exposure and spread of this virus. Clinicians on the frontlines will now have greater flexibility to safely treat our beneficiaries. — Seema Verma, CMS Administrator
What’s Been Changed?
According to the press release, CMS will temporarily be paying health care providers who complete telehealth services for Medicare beneficiaries. This expansion of payment began on March 6, 2020, allowing doctors who provided these services to apply for payment. Previously, Medicare did cover telehealth services, but in a limited way, often based on your coverage area and the service provided. Many of the covered services fell under the category of telemedicine, which refers to more clinical care like virtual doctor appointments. As for the service area, telehealth was previously covered for beneficiaries in rural areas, but only if they were located in one of the following places:
- A doctor’s office
- A hospital
- A critical access hospital
- A rural health clinic
- A federally-qualified health center
- A hospital-based dialysis facility
- A skilled nursing facility
- A community mental health center
Now, the coverage locations have been expanded to include the beneficiary’s home. Telehealth services are still covered at the above locations, but seniors and other at-risk populations should seek to social distancing to prevent exposure, making at-home telehealth services preferable at this time. The type of devices allowed, as part of the two-way interactive telecommunications system, was also expanded to include telephones with video and audio capabilities.
What Services are Covered?
The services covered have also expanded beyond routine check-ups or even health concerns directly related to COVID-19, as other recent Medicare coverage expansions have been. Beyond routine office visits, Medicare will now be covering telehealth mental health counseling services, preventative health screenings, or doctor visits to refill a prescription or as part of a diabetes management program, to name only a few examples. All these have been included to provide the freedom and flexibility for seniors to stay indoors.
Many states have expanded their own coverage of telehealth services, and some may already cover these services or more. If you have further questions about the specifics of what is covered, it may be worth checking with your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) or your local Medicare ombudsman. You can also read the Telemedicine Fact Sheet released by CMS as part of this most recent announcement or download the list of Telehealth Services that is normally covered by Medicare to learn more.
● ● ●
Many Americans are focused on stopping the spread of COVID-19 and flattening the curve, as has often been discussed. Limiting travel and time in public can greatly lessen the chances of exposure to the coronavirus, which is essential for the most at-risk populations like the elderly and the chronically ill. This expansion of telehealth services covered by Medicare will greatly assist with the goal of helping seniors stay safe during the public health crisis.
Further Reading
Medicareful Living — CMS & Insurers Announce Part C and D COVID-19 Coverage
Medicareful Living — Ways to Avoid Getting Sick
Featured Blogs
- Learning to Ski
- The Stories Behind Classic Christmas Carols
- 4 More Tips to Make Christmas Tree Hunt Less Stressful
- Why Do We Celebrate That? Other Festive Holidays
- A Senior Guide to Boston
- A Senior Guide to Edinburgh
- How Does Medicare Cover Osteoporosis?
- What are Ulcers?
- Medicare's Coverage of Parkinson's Disease
- What is a Cognitive Screening?
- Spooky Spots for Halloween 2023
- 4 Ways to Keep Trick-or-Treating Safe
- 10 Classic Horror Books for Halloween
- Here's What Medicare Costs in 2024
- 10 Safety Rules for Seniors Who Enjoy Hunting
- Medicareful Living is Changing Its Name — Here's Why
- CMS Releases 2024 Medicare Advantage and Part D Costs
- Can You Keep Your Medicare Plan Each Year?
- A Senior Guide to Lucerne
- Is Expensive Cookware Worth It?
- The Drug Prices Medicare Can Directly Negotiate
- Does Medicare Ever Cover Cosmetic Surgery?
- A Senior Guide to Barcelona
- How Does COBRA Work with Medicare?
- Different Ways Medicare Can Cover Drug Costs
- Medicareful Living is Changing Its Name — Here's Why
- CMS Releases 2024 Medicare Advantage and Part D Costs
- Can You Keep Your Medicare Plan Each Year?
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to Lucerne
- Is Expensive Cookware Worth It?
- The Drug Prices Medicare Can Directly Negotiate
- Does Medicare Ever Cover Cosmetic Surgery?
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to Barcelona
- How Does COBRA Work with Medicare?
- Different Ways Medicare Can Cover Drug Costs
- All About Enrolling in Social Security
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to the Madrid
- Does Medicare Cover Open-Heart Surgery?
- Exercise Tips for Summer
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to Lisbon
- Hosting a Safe Summer Barbecue
- Senior Summer Barbecue Tips
- Does Medicare Cover Biopsies?
- 5 Foods to Avoid if You Have High Blood Pressure
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to the Finger Lakes
- Does Medicare Cover Endoscopies?
- Ways Seniors Can Recover from a Workout
- Is Chocolate Healthy for You?
- Understanding Adult ADHD
- How Does Medicare Cover Hypertension?
- The Symptoms and Treatment of Parkinson's Disease
- How to Determine What Temperature to Use When Cooking
- Eating Healthy on a Budget
- Keeping Fit on Vacation
- Is Your Tonsillectomy Covered by Medicare?
- Tips for the Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs
- Kitchen First Aid Tips
- What Does FDA-Approved Mean?
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Guide to New York City
- How to Caramelize Onions
- Why Do We Celebrate That? April Fools’ Day
- Medicare and Powers of Attorney
- The Essential Role of Eggs in Cooking
- What are Different Types of Complementary
and Alternative Medicine? - Tips for Remembering to Take Your Medicine
- What is Medicare Part E?
- Building Your Basic At-Home Senior Gym
- How to Make Stovetop Popcorn
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to New Orleans
- How to Navigate & Read Academic Articles
- Phytonutrients: What Plant Color Says About Nutrition
- How to Prevent or Reduce Inflammation
- Osteoporosis: Risk Factors, Signs, and Treatment
- How to Make Homemade Pretzels
- Researching Your Ancestry and Family Tree
- How Medicare and Social Security Work Together
- What is Nordic Walking?
- Food Questions You've Been Embarrassed to Ask
- How Medicare Changed for 2023 and Beyond
- Tips for Using a Microwave
- How to Clean Your Ears Safely
- Skiing as a Healthy Hobby for Seniors
- 3 More Great Places to Celebrate New Year's Eve
- Why Do We Celebrate That? More New Year's Eve Traditions
- Panettone, the Italian Christmas Dessert
- A Simple Homemade Gingerbread Recipe
- How to Make Christmas Decorating Jollier
- The Science of Winter Weight Gain
- Seasonal Picks: 3 Foods You Should Try This Winter
- 5 Tips to Make Getting Your Christmas Tree Stress-Free
- Show-Stopping Potato Side Dishes for Thanksgiving
- Dishes to Impress Your Friends: Boeuf Bourguignon
- Holiday Travel Tips to Reduce Stress
- Does Medicare Cover Pain Management?
- Is Hunting a Healthy Senior Hobby?
- Ways You Can Get More Politically Involved
- What are Medicare's Lifetime Reserve Days?
- Spooky Spots for Seniors Halloween 2022
- How to Make Soul Cakes for Halloween
- Jack O' Lantern Carving Tips for Halloween
- Easy Ways to Peel a Potato
- 2023 Social Security COLA Largest in Decades
- Exercise Tips for Autumn
- How to Make Candy Apples at Home
- Why are Medicare Insurance Sales Calls Recorded?
- Here's What Medicare Costs in 2023
- CMS Updates Medicare Enrollment Rules for 2023
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to London
- Does Medicare Cover Insomnia Treatment?
- Healthy and Easy Homemade Dog Treats
- The FDA Finalizes Ruling to Increase Access to Hearing Aids
- What the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 Means for Medicare
- Tips to Make Flying and Airports Less Stressful
- CMS Projects Lower 2023 Part D Average Costs
- The 15 Golden Rules of Airplane Etiquette
- How Often Should You Shower?
- What are Medicare Pilot Programs?
- How to Care for Your Cast Iron Cookware
- Confronting a Loved One About Hurtful Behavior
- What Does Creditable Coverage Mean for Medicare?