![]() Swaths of the United States have poor broadband access due to geographic, infrastructure, or socioeconomic challenges. There is a recognized shortage of mental health care professionals. Indeed, preliminary claims data indicates audio-only E/M visits were some of the most commonly performed telehealth services during the PHE, and the majority of these audio-only services were for treatment of mental health conditions. Yet, given the widespread use of audio-only services during the PHE, CMS reconsidered its position and altered its policy to respond to changing patient needs and evolving clinical practices. Once the PHE concludes, the emergency waiver authority ends, and so does audio-only telehealth.ĬMS has historically been reluctant to cover audio-only technology out of concern it could lead to inappropriate overutilization of services and concern that audio-video visualization is necessary to fulfill the full scope of service elements of CPT codes. Under the waiver, Medicare covers these telehealth services even when delivered via audio-only technology. Why Did CMS Propose Making Audio-Only Mental Health Permanent?ĭuring the PHE, CMS temporarily waived the interactive audio-video requirement for certain mental health and evaluation and management (E/M) services delivered via telehealth.
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