Tele-Ophthalmology

Addendum to Tele-Ophthalmology Guide Including all COVID-19 Telemedicine Changes

The ASCRS and ASOA Telemedicine Task Force has developed an addendum to the Introduction to Tele-Ophthalmology Guide, which reflects all the telemedicine coverage and reimbursement changes due to the pandemic.

April 30, 2020

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Issues Second Round of Regulatory Waivers and Rule Changes Including Additional Flexibilities for Telehealth

Today, CMS released the Interim Final Rule with Comment titled “Additional Policy and Regulatory Revisions in Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency and Delay of Certain Reporting Requirements for the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program,” along with announcing additional flexibilities, including the continuation of efforts to further expand Medicare beneficiaries’ access to telehealth services.

These changes include:

• Increasing payments for audio-only telephone visits to match payments for similar office and outpatient visits (currently from a range of about $14 - $41 to about $46 - $110) retroactive to March 1.

• Waiving the video requirement for certain telephone evaluation and management services and adding them to the list of Medicare telehealth services. As a result, Medicare beneficiaries will be able to use an audio-only telephone to get these services.

Additional materials are available at these links:

• Full Press Release

• Fact Sheet

• Updated list of Blanket Waivers

• CMS Waivers and Guidance Page

April 16, 2020

Intro to Tele-Ophthalmology

Expanded Medicare telehealth coverage enables beneficiaries to receive a wider range of healthcare services from their doctors without having to travel to a healthcare facility. ASCRS and ASOA have prepared a guide to starting your practice on the tele-ophthalmology path. Learn more.

April 16, 2020

Webinar: Updated: Implementing Tele-Ophthalmology During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Recent government action has expanded telehealth coverage for Medicare beneficiaries nationwide, temporarily waiving penalties for HIPAA violations, and will reimburse physicians for telehealth services at the same rate for face-to-face services. CMS recently announced additional policies, including Medicare coverage for telephone services, and significant additions to the list of covered telehealth services, such as emergency visits. ASCRS and ASOA recognize that our members need resources on how to implement telemedicine visits for their practices and patients. Watch the webinar replay.