Extension of Medicare Telehealth Billing Flexibilities
With COVID-19 restrictions being lifted across the country, many had been expecting the existing Medicare waivers to expire when the current Public Health Emergency (PHE) declaration ends on July 15, 2022. However, the new omnibus spending bill, which was signed into law today, includes an extension of the telehealth billing waivers now in place until at least June 15, 2023, when the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) will be required to report on telehealth utilization. This extension would enable palliative care clinicians to bill for telehealth encounters that take place in the patient’s home, and to bill for audio-only advanced care planning encounters, without geographic or site restrictions.