General Telemedicine Toolkit.pdf

## General Provider Telehealth and Telemedicine Tool Kit Summary

This toolkit provides information on implementing telehealth and telemedicine services, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It's designed for healthcare providers and offers guidance on:

Policy Changes:

Expanded Medicare Telehealth Access: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has temporarily expanded Medicare telehealth benefits under a 1135 waiver, allowing beneficiaries to access a wider range of services from their doctors remotely. This includes office, hospital, and other visits.
HIPAA Waiver: The HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is waiving penalties for HIPAA violations using everyday communication technologies like FaceTime or Skype during the pandemic emergency.

Key Resources:

The toolkit links to various resources, categorized by focus area:

1135 Waiver Information: Details on the waiver process and specific requests, including regional contact information.
CMS Policy Guidance: Fact sheets, FAQs, and press releases outlining CMS's position on telehealth during COVID-19.
Telehealth Implementation Guide: Tools and resources for establishing a permanent telemedicine program.
State Statute Guidance: Information on state-specific regulations related to telehealth.
Technical Assistance: Resources for selecting vendors, setting up technology, and monitoring patients remotely.
Patient & Community Resources: Links to patient education materials and community resources.

Types of Virtual Services:

The toolkit highlights three main types of virtual services:

Medicare Telehealth Visits: In-depth consultations with providers.
Virtual Check-ins: Brief, routine check-ins with patients.
* e-Visits: Limited virtual visits for minor issues.