On January 13, 2022, in response to numerous legal challenges premised on the lack or abuse of executive authority.
Read MoreThe Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination Interim Final Rule (IFR) on November 4, 2021, the same day the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued its COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS). The IFR and ETS complement each other, with both aimed at furthering the Biden Administration’s goal of vaccinating the entire United States healthcare workforce to ensure capacity to serve local and national healthcare needs, the safety of the workforce and patients, and to reduce the risk of continued COVID-19 transmission. Both rules are effective November 5, 2021.
Read MoreLast evening, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) issued its proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for CY 2021 (the “MPFS”). In addition to a number of important changes relating to the provision and reimbursement of telehealth, the proposed MPFS includes long-awaited clarifications around use of the Remote Patient Monitoring (“RPM”) codes established over the past three years
Read MoreNixon Law Group’s Managing Partner, Carrie Nixon, was quoted in an article appearing in Internet of Things World Today discussing the future of telehealth.
Read MoreNixon Law Group’s Managing Partner, Carrie Nixon, was quoted in an op-ed for The Hill discussing 5 actions to fuel the digital health momentum. "The COVID-19 public health emergency has forcefully opened the door for widespread adoption of telehealth, remote patient monitoring, and other digital health platforms by patients and providers alike."
Read MoreExperts Weigh in on Post-COVID-19 Telehealth Rules and Policies. Nixon Law Group’s Managing Partner, Carrie Nixon, was quoted extensively in an article appearing in mHealth Intelligence regarding her views on post-COVID-19 telehealth rules and policies.
Read MoreThe Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) has issued a second Interim Final Rule (“IFR2”) that includes additional expansions and clarifications relating to the provision and reimbursement of telehealth, remote patient monitoring, and telephone services during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (“PHE”). While these expansions are another step forward for the adoption of digital technologies and services in healthcare, there are additional changes needed in the near-term, as detailed in the summary below.
Read MoreThe Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) passed by Congress on March 27, 2020 opened the door for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) to increase healthcare access to patients in rural and underserved areas by reimbursing for telehealth services to Medicare beneficiaries during the public health emergency (PHE). In addition, CMS has issued non-legislative policy changes and flexibility to address the increased need for remote services for Medicare beneficiaries in rural areas of the country.
Read MoreMedical providers across the spectrum have endured a significant hit to revenues as a result of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). MGMA’s recent report, “COVID-19 Financial Impoact on Medical Practices”, indicates that nearly 100% of providers have seen a negative revenue impact, with an average decrease in revenue of 55%. To offset some of those losses, the CARES Act allocated a $50 billion “general allocation” to support the sustainability of these providers.
Read MoreThe burden on the staff and residents of long-term care facilities, including nursing facilities and skilled nursing facilities, has increased significantly around the country. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), in response to feedback from industry stakeholders, and under new 1135 waiver authorities granted to it in the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, implemented several policy changes to support long term care facilities, including changes enabling practitioners to remotely provide services to these facilities and to remotely supervise on-site providers.
Read More‘We'll likely need a legislative change for these changes to be permanent,’ said Nixon. ‘There will be more of an impetus now. Once patients have had telehealth, it's likely they won't want to go back.’”
Read MoreJoin us for a webinar to explain the most recent regulatory and reimbursement changes around the Remote Patient Monitoring, Telehealth, e-Visit, and Virtual Check-in CPT codes, during COVID-19, and what those changes mean from a practical perspective.
Read More