Medicare's revised telehealth list reflects PHE waiver extensions

by Julia Kyles, CPC on Feb 20, 2023
Bookmark or download the latest version of Medicare’s telehealth list for an overview of the services that will be covered under the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) waiver until the end of the year. CMS published the updated version Feb. 13 (Zip file).
 
The new list reflects the waiver extension that was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) of 2023. That extension replaced the 151-day post-PHE extension in CAA 2022 and extended coverage of temporary telehealth services to Dec. 31, 2024. In response, CMS removed the list’s confusing “Status” column which identified codes that could be performed via telehealth through the end of the year and temporary codes that were described as “Temporary Addition for the PHE; Expires with PHE plus 151 days.”
 
CMS did not make additional changes to the list, such as adding or deleting codes or changing the audio-only status for services that can be performed without a real-time visual connection to the patient. Future telehealth updates will take place through the regular rule-making cycle, which gives members of the public a chance to comment on Medicare’s proposals:
In the CY 2023 Final Rule, CMS finalized alignment of availability of services on the telehealth list with the extension timeframe enacted by the CAA, 2022. The CAA, 2023 further extended those flexibilities through CY 2024. We have updated and simplified the Medicare Telehealth Services List to clarify that these services will be available through the end of CY 2023, and we anticipate addressing updates to the Medicare Telehealth Services List for CY 2024 and beyond through our established processes as part of the CY 2024 Physician Fee Schedule proposed and final rules.
 
Part B News subscribers can rely on our coverage of the end of the PHE to prepare their staff and patients for the PHE's May 11 expiration date.
Blog Tags: CMS, COVID-19, telehealth
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