Reimbursement
Reform efforts must be coupled with significant and targeted investment to bridge the digital divide, says Dr. Jason Tibbels of Teladoc.
The DOJ is seeking an amount equal to three times the amount of the $1.4 billion in damages as well as a civil penalty of $11,000 for each violation.
The company says it was able to do this because of lower-than-anticipated costs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other rules update coverage requirements, eliminate post-admission physician evaluations and allow non-physician practitioners to meet with patients.
Star ratings would add a Timely and Effective Care group and would include critical access hospitals and VA hospitals.
The agency has yet to say whether parity will remain between an in-person and a telehealth visit.
Skilled nursing facilities will get a $750 million, or 2.2%, boost for 2021.
The department will distribute $15 billion from the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund to providers that didn't receive funding in the first round.
HHS estimated in 2018 that the 28.5% cut to drug reimbursement rates would save Medicare $1.6 billion.
Sustaining gains created by expanded telehealth will require more generous reimbursement policies from payers.