ATA: Medicare Coverage for Telehealth Services Advanced by Senate Panel
Washington, DC (PRWEB) December 16, 2013 -- The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) applauds the U.S. Senate Finance Committee approval of two important amendments to improve Medicare coverage for telehealth services. Both amendments were authored by Sen. John Thune (R-SD), and were approved last Thursday, Dec. 12.
One amendment will allow full flexibility for using telehealth services by an “alternative payment model” beginning in 2017. This will be comparable to the flexibility allowed for telehealth services under Medicare’s managed care plans, which currently serve over 14 million people. This amendment was also sponsored by Sens. Wyden (D-OR), Roberts (R-KS), Rockefeller (D-WV), Enzi (R-WY) and Stabenow (D-MI).
“This is clearly a long-term win for all as Medicare payment for physicians and practitioners shifts to more value-based, all-inclusive payment methods,” said Jonathan D. Linkous, ATA’s chief executive officer.
The other amendment supports a Medicare demonstration program on remote patient monitoring for home health agencies and other entities. This advances Sen. Thune’s Fostering Independence Through Technology Act (S. 596). The amendment was also sponsored by Senators Casey (D-PA) and Enzi (R-WY).
For more information on this and related issues, please visit http://www.americantelemed.org.
ABOUT THE AMERICAN TELEMEDICINE ASSOCIATION
The American Telemedicine Association is the leading international resource and advocate promoting the use of advanced remote medical technologies. ATA and its diverse membership work to fully integrate telemedicine into healthcare systems to improve quality, equity and affordability of healthcare throughout the world. Established in 1993, ATA is headquartered in Washington, DC. For more information, please visit http://www.americantelemed.org.
Mimi Hubbard, American Telemedicine Association, +1 (202) 664-9680, [email protected]
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