Medicare’s telehealth coverage has been expanded across Alaska to allow more people to access care at home. Let’s learn about what you can expect now and into the future with Medicare’s telehealth coverage.
What is telehealth?
Telehealth includes certain services that you receive from a healthcare provider outside of an in-person office visit. A telehealth service is a full visit with a provider using telephone or video technology that allows for both audio and video communication. It is different from a virtual check-in or health portal messages. Some examples of Medicare-covered telehealth benefits include lab test result consultations, prescription management, health screenings, and visits to evaluate urgent care issues like colds or coughs.
Virtual check-ins allow you to communicate with your doctor briefly through audio and video communication technology or by sending photo or video images for remote assessment. Your doctor can respond by phone, secure text messaging, email, or use of a patient portal. Unlike a telehealth visit, a virtual check-in is not a full appointment. Medicare covers both virtual check-ins and telehealth visits.
How telehealth was covered in the past
To understand what Medicare telehealth coverage is now, it’s helpful to know what telehealth coverage was like before the COVID-19 public health emergency. Previously, Medicare telehealth coverage was very limited. Telehealth services were generally only covered in remote areas. You would still have to go to a specific “originating site” to receive the telehealth. So, you probably couldn’t be at home getting telehealth. You’d likely have to go to a different medical office or clinic. Telehealth was generally only covered if it was provided via interactive, two-way audio and video technology. And it was limited to certain specified providers.
How telehealth is covered by Medicare today
Telehealth services are covered for all beneficiaries in any part of Alaska, and you can receive these services in your own home. Also, any health care professional that is eligible to bill Medicare can provide and bill for telehealth services. This means you can access telehealth from more providers, like physical therapists or speech language pathologists. Additionally, telehealth could be delivered using audio only sometimes, so not audio and video. These flexibilities have been set to expire, but then extended multiple times over the last few years. Most recently these flexibilities have been extended through Dec. 31, 2027.
What is remote patient monitoring?
Remote patient monitoring allows your doctor or health care provider to monitor parts of your health from your home using medical devices such as scales, glucose monitors, and blood pressure cuffs. When medically necessary and properly managed, remote patient monitoring can support ongoing care, help manage chronic conditions, and reduce the need for in-person visits.
However, not all remote patient monitoring offers are appropriate, medically necessary, or legitimate. Some companies may try to enroll you in services or send devices that are not medically necessary, not clearly explained, or billed without your full understanding or consent. These offers may come through phone calls, internet ads, or television promotions. To protect yourself, it’s important to confirm that any remote patient monitoring service is recommended by your trusted doctor or health care provider, and that you understand how it works and how it will be billed.
Fraud and billing abuse does occur far more often than you might expect. Warning signs of scams include being offered a “free” device, like a smartwatch to track your daily steps, in exchange for your Medicare number. I recommend reviewing your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) which details the services billed, Medicare payments, and out-of-pocket costs. It is not a bill, but a tool to review for errors or fraud.
For any Medicare related questions, please feel free to contact the State of Alaska Medicare Information Office at (800) 478-6065 or (907) 269-3680; our office is also known as the State health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), and the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers (MIPPA) program. If you are part of an agency or organization that assists Seniors with medical resources, consider networking with the Medicare Information Office. Call us to inquire about our Ambassador program.
Sean McPhilamy is a volunteer and Certified Medicare Counselor for the Alaska Medicare Information Office.
