Funding relief for private practices. The financial aid available in the $2 Trillion CARES Act could very well be the lifeline for many independent practices in need of financial assistance due to COVID-19.
Telehealth gets a boost. The CARES Act expands Telehealth Services. Time to put Telemedicine Services in high gear.
Funding for providers thru HHS
These grants are for providers affected financially by COVID-19, including Medicare/Medicaid enrolled practices, hospitals, public entities, and nonprofit entities. The grants are meant to cover unreimbursed health-care-related expenses or lost revenues. $100 billion for grants thru the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
- Expenses include increased staffing and training, personal protective equipment, and lost revenue.
- The application process is still being developed by HHS and will be released shortly.
- Funding will be based on economic and financial harm to physicians.
Calculate economic harm and apply for funding
Use this link to download tool from the AAFP
The CARES Act and Telehealth
Telehealth is at the highest levels of visibility for “Patient Care” across the nation and around the world. Patients are experiencing its capabilities and flexibility, and providers are recognizing the benefits to patient care.
Once back to “normal” will patients and providers revert to the previous normal?
With so much visibility and substantial funding from the government Telehealth is rapidly expanding to all corners of the country, both metro and rural. In record time, healthcare providers (facilities, independents, etc.) are moving forward integrating Telemedicine services for their patient base.
The stakes are high and the demands for better and cost-effective healthcare may be moving the needle towards a more “patient/provider centric” healthcare reform.
Avoid staying on the sidelines, patients are expecting Telehealth services.
Components of the CARES Act for Telehealth
- Preparation for telehealth services and broadband service -$25M for rural utilities
- New program aimed to improve telehealth broadband connectivity for connected health services -$200M for FCC.
- Telehealth Resource Center for the Health and Resource Service Administration (HRSA) – $29M/YR through 2025.
- Temporary lifting Telehealth restrictions on Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) & Rural Health Clinics (RHC).
- Temporary lifting of face-to-face visit requirements for home dialysis patients and allow use of Telehealth.
- Reestablish eligibility of Telehealth for Hospice Care.
- Indian Health Services – $1.032B to the Department for Health and Human Services
- Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund – $27B
Although some relief is on the horizon as states begin to re-open their economies at a gradual and safe pace, all indications point that “back to normal” may be way down the road.
Set your practice apart with Telemedicine Services Today.