MGMA Update on Telehealth Waivers

On March 15, 2022, President Biden signed a $1.5 trillion spending package into law, extending telehealth services relating to the PHE. Summed up below are the waivers that will be in effect for another 151 days after the PHE Covid-19 has concluded (April 16^th, 2022):

• “Originating site and geographic location” – Patients can continue to be treated via telehealth communication anywhere
• “Qualifying providers” – Furnishing distant site telehealth services can be provided by physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, and audiologists
• “Audio-only services” – These services must continue to be covered and reimbursed by CMS
• “Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs)” – Can be distant sites and can be reimbursed
• This also delays in-person visitation requirements for mental telehealth visits for 152 days after the conclusion of the PHE

For more information about the mental telehealth expansions, see MGMA’s 2022 final Physician Fee Schedule analysis.