Resources & Reports

On January 13, 2023, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) released the updated Medicaid Provider Manual for telehealth.  The update incorporated changes made to California Medicaid (Medi-Cal) policy in the 2022 Legislative Session, primarily through two pieces of legislation: SB 184, which was one of the state budget trailer bills, and AB 32 (Aguiar-Curry).  Additionally, several weeks prior, DHCS also released the outline for their research and evaluation plan which was a requirement of SB 184.

In a letter addressed to State Health Officials released in early January 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) clarifies its policy for coverage and payment of interprofessional consultations (eConsults).

In the fall of 2022, the Center for Connected Health Policy (CCHP) held two webinars in its popular state telehealth policy series that focused on what the telehealth policy landscape may look like in a post-PHE environment.  Rather than focus on individual states’ policies as examples, the two webinars explored issues that have more of a regional or national impact.

Last month, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed regulations to change current rules regarding the protection of patient records in federally run substance use disorders (SUD) programs.  Currently, these SUD rules differ from what is required under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) which has led to challenges in sharing information and obstacles to access services.  The primary section for modification is Part 2 of Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations (Part 2).

With the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) likely ending in 2023 it has become increasingly urgent for providers to start preparing themselves for its imminent termination.  The PHE was initially declared by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on January 31, 2020, and has been renewed every 90 days since.  The most recent renewal occurred October 13, 2022, ensuring the PHE would remain until at least January 11, 2023, however it is expected that the PHE will be renewed one more time until April 11, 2023.