Telehealth
Reimbursement levels will go back to pre-coronavirus levels when the pandemic ends, but Congress may be pressured to make lasting change.
Though mental health professionals say they're mostly pleased with the rapid shift to phone or video services, most plan to return to in-person care once the dangers from COVID-19 have subsided.
By the end of March, 33% of behavioral health claims for Optum members were for a telehealth visit, compared to 2% prior to COVID-19.
Recent data breaches in digital health platforms have raised awareness for privacy protection and questions over who is responsible.
Consumer-centric digital services could become the new norm, according to CEO and President Larry Merlo.
Cost sharing is being waived for in-network primary care, behavioral health and telehealth visits.
The interim rule is extending the mitigation of shared losses back to January 2020.
HRSA's Federal Office of Rural Health Policy awarded $5 million to develop cross-state licensure for clinicians.
The agency's goal is to ensure states and localities have the flexibility they need to ramp up diagnostic testing and access to medical care.
Consumers may take a more active role in managing health and participating in a system that is essentially being remade.