Utilizing Telemedicine Tools and Staying Connected

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PATIENT EMPOWERMENT NETWORK

They've since refined that to pay for telephone calls at that rate, as well. That, by the way, is really a nod to addressing disparities because there are people who can't afford a smartphone or have broadband and we want to make sure that we get to them. I credit the Medicare folks for seeing that. Medicare is doing very well. Medicaid is state-by-state. Reimbursement will depend upon where you live. But most states, most governors, during this State of Emergency, said that they should pay and most private payers are paying for telehealth as well, so it's pretty rosy right now, in terms of reimbursement. One of the things that we're doing at the ATA is trying to make sure that enough of that reimbursement culture sticks when we move out of this health crisis so that people can continue to enjoy the benefits of this type of care delivery. Do you think there will be legislation required in order to have that level of coverage continue or is there going to be another mechanism to advocate for that to be the case? Again, great question. I would say that if we look at history as a guide, when Medicare decides to pay for something, private payers typically follow, and there was no need for legislation because it was something that just rippled through the medical economy. So that's what we're hoping will happen again. In every state Medicaid is a little bit different. Patients have found that they can get care and there's this what I call the magic of access, quality and convenience. And when you get that kind of care delivery, everyone feels great about it.

Honora Miller:

Dr. Kvedar:

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