The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued updated frequently asked questions on the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) extending telehealth flexibilities for hospital outpatient therapies.
Hospitals may continue to bill for certain outpatient physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech language pathology services, Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT), and Medical Nutrition Therapy provided by hospital staff to Medicare beneficiaries in their homes through telecommunication technology through calendar year 2023.
CMS will also exercise enforcement discretion in reviewing the telehealth practitioner status of qualified clinical staff personally providing any part of a remotely furnished DSMT service until the end of the year.
Of note, CMS has not yet clarified whether providers in skilled-nursing facilities, rehabilitation agencies and home health agencies can bill for telehealth post-PHE.