November 29, 2010

Medicare Telehealth Services Physician Fee Schedule

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized its proposal to add five new services, including subsequent hospital care services, to the list of category 1 telehealth services for calendar year 2011. These services will be available for all patients; although the proposal limits subsequent hospital care services furnished through telehealth to one every three days. Additionally changes were made to the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 to expand the list of telehealth originating sites to include hospital-based renal dialysis centers, skilled nursing facilities, and community mental health centers.