Resources & Reports

The Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) released a telehealth report on October 18^th that looked at the relationship between providers and Medicare patients utilizing telehealth between March and December 2020. Specifically, HHS-OIG examined encounter claims data to determine the presence of pre-existing relationships, dates of any prior visits, and the types of services provided. Interestingly, it was found that though pre-pandemic requirements limiting telehealth visits to established patients were waived, 84% of visits still occurred within those parameters.

Today the Center for Connected Health Policy (CCHP) is releasing its bi-annual summary of state telehealth policy changes for Fall 2021.  Additionally, we are also making available a summary chart showing where states stand on many key telehealth policies, as well as an infographic  highlighting our key findings.  Historically, CCHP has released twice a year (Spring and Fall) updates to its “State Telehealth Laws and Reimbursement Policies” report in the form of a PDF report document that details all the telehealth policies for all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

With a grant from the Federation of State Medical Board Foundation (FSMB Foundation), the Center for Connected Health Policy (CCHP) conducted a small study on the use of audio-only to treat Medicaid patients in a federally qualified health center (FQHC).  CCHP selected states to study that at the time the research was being conducted, had the highest number of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CCHP examined each state’s pre-pandemic Medicaid fee-for-service policies, what was allowed during COVID-19, and the audio-only policies that were made permanent related to FQHCs.

CCHP’s October Newsletter is Here! This month’s topics include State COVID-19 Flexibilities Slowly Subsiding; Medicare Clarifies Interstate License Compact Pathways; September Policy Developments in CCHP’s Telehealth Policy Finder and Policy Trends Maps; Senators Issue Request for Information on Strategies to Improve Mental Health, Including Telehealth Solutions; RemoteICU Lawsuit Takes Aim at Medicare Overseas Provider Ban; Yes – Health Apps and Connected Devices must Notify Consumers when there is a Breach; Utilization of Patient Portals is Up, even Pre-Pandemic, ONC Survey Finds; Physician Fee Schedule Comments.