Category Archives: Telemedicine

New Telemedicine Rules Issued By LSBME

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The Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners has amended its rules governing the use of telemedicine as it relates to patients who are located in Louisiana.  Among other things, the rules require a face-to-face patient encounter before a prescription may be issued by a physician via electronic means and outlines physician prerequisite conditions and disclosures that must occur prior to the use of telemedicine to provide medical services.  For more information, visit this month’s issue of the Louisiana Register:  http://www.doa.la.gov/Pages/osr/reg/regs2015.aspx.

Written by: Traci S. Thompson

 

CMS Proposed 2016 Physician Fee Schedule Includes Telehealth Coverage Provisions

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On July 8, 2015, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released its proposed Calendar Year 2016 Physician Fee Schedule (“PFS”) Proposed Rule, which was published in the Federal Register on July 15, 2015. Although the proposed PFS includes a section specific to telehealth, the proposed changes to telehealth coverage policies were not as expansive as some had hoped.  In summary,

  • Medicare proposed to add codes for prolonged inpatient service and ESRD related services, and
  • Proposed to include CRNAs as approved distant site practitioners who may furnish Medicare telehealth services.

The pages specific to the proposed telehealth rules can be found here: 2016-Fee-Schedule and include some helpful information on the requirements and payment opportunities for those codes that are eligible for payment under Medicare.

Written By: Traci Thompson