American Telehealth Association Challenges CMS Over Costly New Billing Rules
Healthcare Finance News
|
Contributed by: Kate Gamble
Summary
The American Telehealth Association (ATA) is requesting clarification from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on new telehealth billing practices that significantly increase documentation requirements for hospitals. The recent Physician Fee Schedule final rule is expected to impose an annual cost burden of approximately $1 million on large health systems, prompting some to reconsider the staffing of part-time telehealth providers for virtual care. Moreover, the mandate for physicians to disclose their home addresses for billing purposes by January 1, 2026, has raised concerns about privacy and security among healthcare professionals. The ATA is particularly focused on how these regulations will impact full-time virtual care providers who may not be affiliated with specific hospital systems, highlighting the need for clarity in the evolving telehealth landscape.
