The Trump administration’s proposal to permanently expand access to care via telehealth was clarified this week during a National Stakeholder Call with Seema Verma, administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS authorized reimbursement for telehealth delivery of 135 services during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The administration views telehealth as “a powerful clinical tool to increase access and choices for America’s seniors.” Two recent studies found a quarter of Medicare beneficiaries lack the technology to take advantage of telehealth or face other barriers such as limited sight or hearing. CMS also released fact sheets on the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program and on proposed rules for the 2021 Quality Payment Program. (CMS news release, 8/3/20)
