May 10, 2023 – Tomorrow, May 11, 2023, marks the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, which allowed for regulatory and legislative actions resulting in flexibilities that changed access to telehealth for Medicare beneficiaries and how RDNs can provide telehealth services.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 extended many of the major Medicare telehealth flexibilities through December 31, 2024, including the ability to waive site requirements (e.g. waiver of a beneficiaries needing to be in a rural area or specific health care setting) and the capability to provide services via telehealth using audio-only communication. Some flexibilities, such as the ability to provide direct supervision virtually, will expire at the end of 2023 unless addressed in future rule making.
During the April meeting of the Academy's Payment and Reimbursement Affinity Group, staff and member leaders shared pertinent updates about the end of the PHE and implications for RDNs. The Academy has developed an FAQ to help address common questions about the practice of telehealth and the ending of the PHE.
Outside of Medicare, MNT delivered via telehealth has been covered to varying degrees by commercial payers and Medicaid programs in states. It is imperative that RDNs monitor reimbursement policies since some flexibilities allowed during the pandemic, including those related to where and how services can be provided, have been addressed by states separate from the federal public health emergency. Academy members should reach out to the Nutrition Services Payment Specialists in their state to learn more about how states are addressing telehealth and payment.
Additional information on navigating the ins and outs of telehealth is available in the Academy's Telehealth Quick Guide. The Academy will continue to monitor telehealth updates and share these changes via the Telehealth Quick Guide.
Academy members are encouraged to join the discussion on telehealth and other key payment and reimbursement policy issues affecting the profession by joining the Payment and Reimbursement Affinity Group.
For answers to questions about payment, reimbursement or coverage for nutrition services, join the Academy's Payment and Reimbursement Office Hours, held every Wednesday from 2-3 p.m. (Central), through Zoom.
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