Telehealth and COVID19 – General Update

Telehealth and COVID19 – General Update

The healthcare industry continues to navigate the challenges caused by COVID-19. Clinicians are working tirelessly to provide high-quality care via Telehealth rather than face to face. Yet it seems that now, more than ever, there is a need for simple, secure, and reliable technology to connect patients to their care teams.

To that end, telehealth services guidelines have been relaxed. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), State Medicaid programs, and many major insurance payers including Blue Cross Blue Shield and United Healthcare have responded. This does two things: firstly, it simplifies reimbursement, and secondly, it expands patient access to care.

Telehealth changes

On March 6, 2020, CMS began paying physicians and qualified non-provider professionals (QPPs) for all telehealth visits. For example, 80 additional codes were added for use during the public health emergency.

Meanwhile, there are other highlights of note:

  • Telehealth is now available to HPSA areas (federally defined rural areas);
  • Patients may receive telehealth visits at home;
  • Providers can get paid as they would if the patient was in the office;
  • CMS will not include “established patient” audits with the billing provider. This allows clinicians to bill for medical services for new patients.

Here is another conundrum. Telehealth services are typically subject to CMS’ standard co-insurance and deductible amounts. As a result, Medicare patients can be left with a balance due. However, reducing the amounts owed by Medicare beneficiaries can violate the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute, the civil monetary penalty rule, and exclusion laws.

Consequently, new guidance has been issued. The Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) has determined that providers should not be subject to these sanctions. This allows for reduced or eliminated beneficiary cost share for telehealth or e-visits.

In addition, CMS is recognizing new virtual check-in codes for communication-based technology services (CBTS). These CBTS codes include remote evaluation of pre-recorded patient information (CPT code G2010) and virtual check-ins (CPT code G2012). Each has an average allowable amount of between $12 – $15.

New Resources

CMS has published two valuable resources. We recommend both: General Medicine Telehealth and Telemedicine Toolkit; and Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Booklet on Telehealth Services. They offer details on telehealth services and billing requirements in response to the COVID-19 health crisis.

One last recommended reading: COVID-19 State Medicaid & CHIP Telehealth Toolkit. Released in April, its goal is to expand telehealth services as the preferred means of delivering and receiving healthcare.

Who is DocsInk

DocsInk differentiates its software from the competition by simultaneously addressing the fiscal, communication, and connectivity needs of medical professionals. Delivered as Software-as-a-Service (“SaaS”), DocsInk is improving the way technology integrates with the various workflows of the healthcare industry. By utilizing the SMART on FHIR platform and protocols, DocsInk has set its platform to create truly integrated and system agnostic services with EHR/PM systems. Beyond our technology, that is native to Mac, PC, iOS, and Android, our team is dedicated to providing customer support and a user experience that is second to none.

Today, DocsInk provides simple, effective solutions that improve the speed, efficiency, accuracy, and adaptable methods in the delivery of patient care not just as a Telehealth Solution but also Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM), Chronic Care Management (CCM) and Mobile Charge Capture. To learn more visit us at www.DocsInk.com.

Is Telemedicine the New Normal?

Is Telemedicine the New Normal?

The landscape of healthcare has dramatically changed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. E-visits have replaced traditional Doctor’s offices visits. Mobile devices are the norm now that quarantines have pushed the fast forward button on the adoption of telemedicine.

Before the pandemic, Telemedicine use was limited. Lower-level services, such as diabetic teaching and hospital-based specialty visits in rural areas, were its domain. Although accepted in theory, providers and patients alike were slow to warm up to virtual care. Medicare only covered telemedicine visits in very limited situations; reimbursement rates from both government and private payers were very low.

And then along came COVID-19.

Everything changed. Telemedicine guidelines relaxed.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) began paying for telemedicine visits at the same rate as in-person visits. They relaxed many rigid guidelines which made virtual visits more accessible for Medicare patients.

Private insurance companies quickly followed suit, which led to an onslaught of new telehealth visits. The Wall Street Journal reported that CMS telemedicine visits increased from 100,000 to 300,000 per week as of March 28, 2020, with an expectation that it will continue to grow at a steady rate.

Frost and Sullivan research reported total telemedicine visits increased by 50% nationwide, and expected to hit nearly 1 billion by the end of 2020.

The question remains: what will happen when the COVID-19 crisis is over? No one knows how many of the new telemedicine administrative guidelines and reimbursement rates will remain in effect. Yet, it appears safe to say that virtual visits will remain a viable treatment option.

Virtual healthcare aligns well with the value-based-care mandate. If that continues, providers and payers will find great value in quality care which boasts efficiencies and lowers costs. Patients appreciate the convenience of receiving healthcare when and where they choose, without wait times, missed work, or transportation complications.

The Genie’s Out of the Bottle.

Seema Verman told the Wall Street Journal just that. A CMS administrator, Verma was adamant. “… the advent of telehealth has been completely accelerated. It’s taken this crisis to push us to a new frontier, but there’s absolutely no going back.”

In short, telemedicine is here to stay.

Who is DocsInk

DocsInk differentiates its software from the competition by simultaneously addressing the fiscal, communication, and connectivity needs of medical professionals. Delivered as Software-as-a-Service (“SaaS”), DocsInk is improving the way technology integrates with the various workflows of the healthcare industry. By utilizing the SMART on FHIR platform and protocols, DocsInk has set its platform to create truly integrated and system agnostic services with EHR/PM systems. Beyond our technology, that is native to Mac, PC, iOS, and Android, our team is dedicated to providing customer support and a user experience that is second to none.

Today, DocsInk provides simple, effective solutions that improve the speed, efficiency, accuracy, and adaptable methods in the delivery of patient care not just as a Telehealth Solution but also Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM), Chronic Care Management (CCM) and Mobile Charge Capture. To learn more visit us at www.DocsInk.com.

5 Benefits of DocsInk’s Telehealth Solution

5 Benefits of DocsInk’s Telehealth Solution

Both medical professionals and patients alike greatly benefit from telemedicine services. For example, the adoption of communication based technology services (CBTS) is becoming widespread; Medicare, Medicaid and many private insurance payers have relaxed their administrative guidelines and improved their reimbursement models. FH Health Indicators reports that telemedicine visits grew 53% nationally from 2016 to 2017. Here are the top five reasons for clinicians to adopt DocsInk’s Telehealth Solution:

1. Better Access to Care

Making medical care more available is essential to achieving a healthy patient population. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 46 million Americans, 15% of the U.S. population, live in rural areas. The nearest medical center is 20+ miles away. With restricted access to public transportation, DocsInk’s Telehealth Solution allows them to get the care they need when they need it. Patients are more likely to be compliant and engaged when they have easy access to prompt, quality medical treatment. In many rural areas, telemedicine provides direct access to specialists which would not otherwise be accessible by patients. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic makes it every more critical for clinicians to reach patients at home.

2. Cost Effectiveness

As the healthcare industry continues to transition from fee-for-service to value-based care, it is critical to reduce expenses. Avoidable readmissions account for $17B  in expenses, and preventable emergency use represents $8.3B in costs each year. Both of these numbers may be reduced with improved patient/care team communication via telemedicine visits. Further prooft comes from the Veterans Administration, which reaped an annual savings of $6,500 per patient when using telemedicine services. Other studies have shown a 50% reduction in emergency room visits and 90% reduction in overall hospitalizations of chronically-ill patients. DocsInk’s Telehealth Solution allows for quality value-based care and reduction of readmission costs.

3. Improved Patient Outcomes

Convenience and access to care have proven to be key in maximizing patient engagement and compliance. DocsInk’s Telehealth Solution facilitates high-touch, efficient care options for patients who require frequent monitoring. Whether the impetus is prescription adherence, post-surgical care, chronic disease management or inpatient discharge instructions, this option delivers.

Johns Hopkins reported that medication nonadherence is one of the largest factors negatively impacting health outcomes. In short, these issues can be addressed with DocsInk’s Telehealth Solution, and is recommended the Health Information Technology Playbook

4. Boost Patient Satisfaction and Engagement

Patient satisfaction is a key indicator for measuring the quality of healthcare. Patient satisfaction scores help ensure optimal reimbursements and higher patient retention rates. But a satisfied patient is also more apt to be engaged in their overall health. 

Telemedicine has proven to increase patient satisfaction scores, and in turn, health outcomes. In a Massachusetts General Hospital study, 68% of patients rated their telemedicine visits a 9 or above on a 10 point scale. Their quality of care and convenience of access expectations were exceeded. Another study published in the Annals of Vascular Surgery shows that telemedicine may significantly improve a patient’s satisfaction with postoperative care — as well as their views on quality of life. DocsInk’s Telehealth Solution can help you stay on top of your patients overall quality of care satisfaction and in turn, their overall health outcome.

5. Improved Revenue

There are a number of ways that DocsInk’s Telehealth Solution impacts revenue. Because it’s convenient, virtual care can translate into fewer no-shows and cancellations. These cost practices a great deal of time and money, ranging from 3 – 14% of total clinic income. Telemedicine also facilitates a more efficient clinical schedule with increased billable time. Plus, it allows for the transition of non-paid patient phone calls into revenue generating visits and virtual check-ins.

Finally, DocsInk’s Telehealth Solution can substantially reduces overhead costs per visit, which then promotes improved staff productivity and time savings.