Theresa has experience representing hospital systems, physician groups and medical schools, and she advises clients on a variety of state and federal regulations, including the confidentiality of health information, fraud and abuse laws, Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, and EMTALA.
Two Weeks’ Notice for the Public Health Emergency: What’s Next for Telehealth
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced its plan to end the Federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19 on May 11, 2023. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, emergency declarations, legislation, and regulatory waivers across government agencies, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), allowed for flexibility in the delivery of care to patients, including the expanded use of telehealth. Originally intended to conserve healthcare resources and prevent unnecessary exposure to COVID-19, the use of virtual care has exploded since the beginning of the pandemic to become an intrinsic, essential part of the healthcare delivery system. Now, at the end of the PHE, we examine the path forward for telehealth and the extent to which providers may continue to offer it to patients.