CMS to permanently cover telehealth delivery of home health care

Coverage for telehealth services, which was approved on an emergency basis during the COVID-19 pandemic, will become standard for patients receiving home-based health services through Medicare. In its home health payment rule for 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) authorized the use of telehealth on a routine basis “as long as any provision of remote patient monitoring or other services furnished via a telecommunications system or audio-only technology are included on the plan of care.” A CMS fact sheet provides additional detail about the policy change. (Modern Healthcare article, 10/29/20)