September Monthly News Recap

Certintell’s blog series, “Industry Insights,” takes a look at what topics are buzzing with popularity in the mHealth and care management arena for Community Health Centers (CHCs), FQHCs and other community-based organizations. Here, you can explore how legislation might affect your workflows, what statistics might be preventing better patient outcomes, and tips for pushing past your biggest care barriers. Stay on top of what CHC news you should know below! 

In this recap:

1. CMS releases revised Medicare telehealth factsheet 
2. New COVID-19 Vaccine is Approved
3. Upcoming in 2024: Medicare Telehealth Coverage Extended!
4. October is Health Literacy Month 

1. CMS Releases Revised Medicare Telehealth Factsheet

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently introduced a revised edition of its Medicare Learning Network (MLN) information document concerning Telehealth Services. This release follows a period of no updates, which was prompted by the rapidly changing circumstances brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Noteworthy points from the updated fact sheet are listed below:

• Until December 31, 2024, telehealth services are available to all patients without specific location requirements or geographical limitations
• Medicare providers who are eligible can continue to offer telehealth services from distant locations until December 31, 2024
• Audio-only telehealth is permitted for specific non-behavioral or mental telehealth services until December 31, 2024
• CMS now requires patient consent for all care management and virtual communication services, and this consent can be obtained at the time the services are initially provided

2. New COVID-19 Vaccine is Approved

The FDA recently approved the newest COVID-19 booster vaccine. This vaccine, however, will not be covered by the federal government like previous vaccines have been. Learn how to get the new COVID-19 vaccine for free, with or without insurance here:

→   Also note that the government is distributing free at-home COVID-19 tests. Order your free test kits by clicking here!   ←

3. Upcoming in 2024: Medicare Telehealth Coverage Extended!

Some key highlights regarding Medicare coverage beginning January of 2024:

• Medicare telehealth coverage extended
  • Through December 31, 2024, patients can use telehealth services anywhere in the U.S. After this period, however, there will be two exceptions:
    • 1: For most telehealth services, you are required to be physically present in a rural office or medical facility.
    • 2: There are specific Medicare telehealth services that you can receive without needing to be in a rural healthcare setting
• Chronic pain management and treatment services
  • Will now cover monthly services for patients with chronic pain
• Mental health treatment
  • Partial hospitalization – outpatient psychiatric services
  • Regarding expenses, typically, patients are responsible for covering 20% of the Medicare-approved charges, and the Part B deductible is applicable for mental health care services…when it comes to inpatient mental health care services received in a hospital, these are covered by Part A
• General plan and cost changes
  • Once out-of-pocket spending reaches $8,000, there will be no co-pays for Part D drugs for the rest of the year

4. October National Health Observance

October is Health Literacy Month! It is important to understand what health literacy is, and how we can help positively impact the health of our patients by following these tips and tricks:

• Use common, everyday language
• Use your active voice
• Use jargon-free language
• Get feedback

More information pertaining to these tips, along with health literacy training and other resources can be found below:

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