Resources & Reports

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently released updates regarding efforts to expand broadband access and address digital discrimination and disparities. In particular, the FCC announced $18 billion in funding to 368 companies as part of the Enhanced Alternative Connect America Cost Model (Enhanced A-CAM) program, which seeks to incentivize companies to improve access and quality of broadband services in rural areas. To receive funding, companies have to agree to provide broadband at specific speeds (at least 100/20 Mbps) to more than 700,000 locations.

Earlier this month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published the Final Rule for the 2024 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS). The PFS contains policy changes for the Medicare program that will go into effect January 1, 2024 (unless otherwise stated). Many of the proposals in the Final Rule mirror what was proposed by CMS in July 2023, however, there were a few differences.  In this edition of CCHP’s In Focus we dive a bit deeper into a few of the of the final telehealth policies and release a new CY 2024 Final PFS factsheet that delves into each policy in more detail.

CCHP’s November Newsletter is here! This month’s topics include –CMS Releases CY 2024 Physician Fee Schedule with New Telehealth Eligible Codes & Key Clarifications; Executive Order Targets AI Safeguards, Impacting Healthcare; HHS Considers Linking Cyber Security Requirements to Federal Program Payments; FDA Announces New Digital Health Technologies Advisory Committee; JAMA Study on Telemedicine Buprenorphine Initiation and Retention; Rural Telehealth Research Center Issues Data Measures for Evidence Based Telehealth Network Program; Aetna Coverage Issue; NTIA Urges FCC To Consider Stricter Policies to Prevent Digital Discrimination; RPM Guidance; and more state and federal policy updates.

Last month the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released two new resources for patients to increase understanding around protecting health information when receiving health care services via telehealth.

Just in time for spooky season, we see the revitalization of net neutrality.  It was announced late last month that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) would be revisiting net neutrality at their October commission meeting. As a refresher, net neutrality is the principle that all internet traffic should be treated equally and that no one entity should have their information/material favored or disadvantaged in any way, and every individual should have equal access to the internet.