As of Jan. 1, rheumatology practices face significant changes in coding and reimbursement for telemedicine services, including new and deleted billing codes, updated Medicare policies and looming expiration of pandemic-related flexibilities.
A third extension of telemedicine flexibilities will continue to allow prescription of controlled substances via telemedicine without an in-person visit through the end of 2025.
The increased use of telemedicine that began in 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to provide new ways to expand patient care in rheumatology.
I have been tongue-tied, of late. When I was a medical student, I was told not to turn the physical examination into an aerobic workout. This sage piece of advice was imparted by my physical examination preceptor, who had watched me perform a complete examination on a hapless volunteer. At the time, I thought of…
Our hospitals have had their finest hour in the care of acutely ill inpatients during the COVID-19 pandemic, including dealing with allocation decisions fairly and transparently, maximizing good outcomes and remaining cognizant of the enduring ethics of healthcare. The honorable traditions of self-effacing conduct and acceptance of some level of personal risk by healthcare professionals…
In a letter sent to commercial payers, the ACR’s Insurance Subcommittee is advocating for continued coverage for telemedicine, including reimbursement parity, after the end of the declared public health emergency.
NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the expansion of telemedicine across the U.S., which has opened up access to doctor’s offices for families with limited resources. But at the same time, the health disparity gap could continue to widen unless safeguards are put into place, according to a pair of new editorials. “There…
The COVID-19 pandemic is reshaping clinical rheumatology and the fellowship experience. Rheumatology education should include how to triage patients for remote visits, says second-year fellow Kanika Monga, MD…
The rapid expansion of telemedicine in rheumatology, as well as changes to reimbursement and relaxed regulations, during the COVID-19 pandemic has served as an impetus for the ACR to review its position and release a new statement in support of optimized telemedicine practices.