Dive Brief:
- Last week, telehealth industry stakeholders urged Congress to update Medicare reimbursement policies for telehealth services, according to Health Data Management.
- At the Congressional hearing, one industry executive noted that telehealth language in the Social Security Act hasn't been updated since 2000.
- Under current SSA language, reimbursement for telehealth services is restricted to individuals located in rural areas who are a "clinical originating site," meaning that individuals seeking care in urban areas aren't eligible to be to get telehealth services reimbursed.
Dive Insight:
Today, with the astonishing proliferation of mobile technology and digital telecommunications options like Skype and Google Hangouts, there are literally countless ways to deliver telehealth services. However, if Medicare won't pay for most of these services, they are an unlikely to grow as a commercial option. Also, if Medicare doesn't pay for service, it's unlikely commercial payers will as well. If telemedicine is to mature, it seems that the SSA will need to be changed.