HEALTH CARE WEEK IN REVIEW: CMS Expands Medicare Emergency Telehealth Coverage With 11 New Services, AMA Launches Physician Collaboration To Help Doctors Integrate Behavioral Health Into Primary Care, Scientists Confirm Man Was Infected Twice With Coronavirus, CMS Unveils Relaxed Repayment Terms For COVID-19 Loans
Source: Fierce Healthcare
Here's The Latest in Health Care:
• Once again CMS is expanding the telehealth services covered by Medicare during the COVID-19 public health emergency, as coronavirus cases surge in large swaths of the country. This time adding 11 new virtual care services, including cardiac and pulmonary rehab. Since the start of the pandemic, the agency has now added more than 135 new virtual care services to what's covered under fee-for-service Medicare. Read More
• Mental health issues are spiking during the COVID-19 pandemic as Americans face enormous social and economic stress. At the same time, access to behavioral healthcare—which had already been limited due to resource shortages and stigma—is even more limited. The AMA is spearheading an effort to help make behavioral health more accessible by providing support to physicians working to combine mental and physical health services in their medical practices. Read More
• Scientists have confirmed a 25-year-old Nevada man was infected twice with the coronavirus. This is the first confirmed case of reinfection with the virus in the U.S. and the fifth confirmed reinfection case worldwide. The cases underscore the importance of social distancing and wearing masks even if previously infected with the virus. Read More
• This week CMS detailed relaxed repayment terms for providers and suppliers that received COVID-19 loans. Among the changes include lowering the interest rate from 10 to four percent and delaying recoupment to one year from the issuance date of the accelerated or advance payment. Read More
Each Friday, Signor Goat reports the latest from the week in health care. Check back next Friday for your dose of our little medical corner of health care news. Brought to you by pMD, innovators in charge capture, secure messaging, clinical communication, and care navigation software.
