"TELEHEALTH" refers to all remote services requiring medical decision making and/or management by a medical professional. Telemedicine, Telephone, and Virtual services are included under this designation.
Per the Center for Medicare Services (CMS) provisions to date (1135 waiver as of March 17, 2020):
“Telemedicine” benefits by Medicare are now covering patients who utilize healthcare providers by audio/visual devices (aka “face time”).
“Telephone” services also have modest amounts of coverage.
CMS is no longer waiving copays and coinsurance for these visits at this time.
CMS has also temporarily waived the strict HIPAA regulations that previously disallowed cellphone apps. By doing this they have rapidly improved access to care for seniors.
Medicare Telemedicine Fact Sheet
Commercial insurers (ex. BCBS, UHC, Cigna, Humana, Aetna, etc) are following their lead but with rules depending on the insurer.
Please contact your insurance to see if you are “covered” for the following services we will be offering during this time and if copays and deductibles apply.
BCBS telephone visits as of 3/10/20-present
(link inactive, awaiting update as of 5/12/23)
BCBS telemedicine visits as of 3/19/20-present
(link inactive, awaiting update as of 5/12/23)
UHC telemedicine visits as of 3/19/20-present
(link inactive, awaiting update as of 5/12/23)
Humana telemedicine visits as of 3/10/20-present
Aetna telemedicine visits as of 3/19/20-present
Cigna telemedicine visits as of 3/19/20-present