Technology | 03.18.20
As Coronavirus Spreads, Medicare Gets Telemedicine Option
by NAMSS Staff
Seattle Times (03/06/20) Alonso-Zaldivar, Ricardo
The coronavirus legislation signed into law earlier this month by President Trump enables Medicare to expand the use of telemedicine in outbreak areas, potentially reducing infection rates among vulnerable seniors. Coverage of telemedicine has been limited mainly to residents of rural markets who must travel far for treatment from specialists. The new law allows the federal government to waive those restrictions in order to help deal with the public health emergency created by the pandemic. Additionally, it could pave the way for more lasting changes in Medicare's coverage of virtual health care, most notably Skyping with a doctor or using devices that transmit medical data such as heart rate.
Read the full story from the Seattle Times.