NCUIH Resource: COVID-19 and Telehealth for Urban Indian Organizations

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Contact: Andrew Kalweit, akalweit@NCUIH.org

COVID-19 & Telehealth at Urban Indian Organizations

Reimbursement for Telehealth Services has been expanded. Adopting telehealth may help treat an influx of COVID-19 patients while providing routine care to others.

Key Facts
  • Medicare now allows reimbursement for Urban Facilities
  • Virtual check-ins can use a broad range of devices and phones
  • State Medicaid programs are expanding reimbursement
  • Many private insurers have embraced the platform at parity to in-person services

General Resources & Start-Up Guides

Summary of Updates

Medicare Fee-for-Service

Provide Telehealth Visits, Virtual Check-ins, and E-visits
  • Medicare reimbursement is now allowed in urban areas
  • All services allow patients to initiate encounters from their home
  • Telehealth visits can be with new or established patients
  • E-visits and brief “virtual check-ins” can be reimbursed:
    • for emails, calls, texts, and audio/video streaming
    • with established patients
  • Eligible providers are:
    • Physicians
    • Nurse practitioners
    • Physician assistants
    • Nurse-midwives Clinical nurse specialists
    • Certified registered nurse anesthetists
    • Clinical psychologists (CP)
    • Registered dietitians or nutrition professional
  • See the CMS Fact Sheet for this 1135 waiver, the list of eligible codes, and FAQs.
  • Medicare has Waived licensing requirements that health care professionals hold licenses in the state in which they provide services.*

Medicaid

  • State Waivers have expanded opportunities for reimbursement
  • Policies vary between states, but updates have been collected online.
  • For a good guide for services in your state that were already reimbursable prior to COVID-19, see the 2019 CCHP Report.

Private Insurers