Table 1.

Changes in CMS telehealth regulations from March 6, 2020 until end of public health emergency.

Pre-outbreak	Changes post-outbreak
• Patient must live in designated rural area in order to have telehealth covered by Medicare • Patient must travel to designated “originating site” (clinic, hospital, or other medical facility) to conduct telehealth visit with provider at a separate location • Medicare covered telehealth at the same rate as an in-person visit for a limited number of patients who met certain requirements • Initial in-person evaluation required to establish relationship • Patient paid coinsurance or deductible (cost-sharing) for telehealth	• All Medicare patients eligible for telehealth, regardless of location of residence [1] • Medicare can reimburse for telehealth visits conducted in all settings, including the patient's home [1] • Medicare will cover telehealth at the same rate as in-person visits for all patients, using the same CPT billing codes as for in-person visits [23] • Initial in-person evaluation requirement will not be enforced [1] • Providers have flexibility to reduce/waive cost-sharing [1]

Pre-outbreak

Changes post-outbreak

•
Patient must live in designated rural area in order to have telehealth covered by Medicare
•
Patient must travel to designated “originating site” (clinic, hospital, or other medical facility) to conduct telehealth visit with provider at a separate location
•
Medicare covered telehealth at the same rate as an in-person visit for a limited number of patients who met certain requirements
•
Initial in-person evaluation required to establish relationship
•
Patient paid coinsurance or deductible (cost-sharing) for telehealth

•
All Medicare patients eligible for telehealth, regardless of location of residence [1]
•
Medicare can reimburse for telehealth visits conducted in all settings, including the patient's home [1]
•
Medicare will cover telehealth at the same rate as in-person visits for all patients, using the same CPT billing codes as for in-person visits [23]
•
Initial in-person evaluation requirement will not be enforced [1]
•
Providers have flexibility to reduce/waive cost-sharing [1]