Temporary Medicare Telemedical Services

Medicare telemedical services are important for a lot of seniors who are not able to make it to the doctor’s office, especially with what’s going on right now in the world.

CMS is relaxing Telehealth rules on a temporary and emergency basis per the CARES act that was passed and signed into law at the end of March. The Coronavirus preparedness response supplemental appropriations act has set aside additional funding and assistance to doctors and patients needing to meet over a prior condition or those who just need to see a doctor in general.

CMS announced plans to help doctors build a program that gets them and their clients ready for telehealth services. Temporarily, Medicare is set to pay for Telehealth services and care at home, as well as nursing and assisted living facilities.

Telehealth services are audio and video communications between you and your health care professionals. There are specific Medicare HIPPA rules for this, however, they are largely for your physicians and medical health professionals. Telehealth services protect seniors and doctors and other medical professionals from exposure to the coronavirus. You are able to talk to every doctor you may need to, from therapists to a traditional medical doctor.

While telehealth services were previously available to some people in more remote parts of the country, it is now widespread and available to everyone in the country. You can check out Medicare.gov for the other services that were added in the CARES act on a temporary basis.

Use this information to help your clients

Reaching out to your clients during this time and letting them know that they do not have to go to the doctors and that they can do telehealth is important because of how this can affect their health. Not only does this get you back in contact with them, but it also opens up the doors to checking in on their plan. Making sure it’s working with them and even the ability to offer them new products, like life insurance.

Use this opportunity to reach out, send them an email, a text, a call. Ask them to join you on a zoom call, or a facetime call so that you can make sure they know they have options and that they do not have to worry about going into a doctor’s office unless medically necessary. You can point them to Medicare.gov where this information is evolving. If you have questions as to how you can turn this into something positive, feel free to reach out to us and give us a call. We would be happy to help!