Policy and Legislation
The change, said Express Scripts, was made in the spirit of "greater transparency" and was not intended to alter reimbursement.
New reporting requirements expand the amount of time providers will have to report information and extend PRF payment deadlines.
The goal is to bolster aid and services for those living in rural parts of the country, especially in underserved areas.
Pressure from industry groups caused the insurer to balk, though the policy is still slated to take effect when the pandemic ends.
The AHA said retroactive denial of coverage for emergency-level care would put patients' health in jeopardy.
Medicare is incentivizing providers and will pay an additional $35 per dose for vaccine administration in a beneficiary’s home.
Other recommendations include boosting local production; promoting research and development; and creating robust quality management maturity.
The policy is an attempt to curb healthcare costs, but some providers are worried it could lead to lower reimbursement.
According to CMS, it's the largest funding allocation the agency has made available for navigator grants to date.
The Indian government has advocated the use of digital tools to accelerate virtual care, including telehealth, says professor Krishnan Ganapathy, director of Apollo Telehealth Services in India.