Telehealth
The funds will go to 1,779 small rural hospitals and 14 Telehealth Resource Centers.
Lasting change will have to come from Congress, but there will be more of an impetus now that telehealth is getting its day in the sun.
Walgreens Find Care now includes a COVID-19 risk assessment powered by Microsoft Healthcare Bot on Microsoft Azure.
While new technologies are being deployed, health systems can use existing resources to help combat the coronavirus's spread.
The proposal would fully fund telehealth services and devices for eligible healthcare providers, although some aren't pleased with its exclusion of for-profit hospitals.
CMS is also allowing ERs to use drive-through testing and telehealth, and for tests to be done at home for stay-at-home residents.
The money may be spent on telehealth, screening and testing, or acquiring medical supplies such as personal protection equipment.
Physician are frustrated at not having what they need and concerned that they could have been exposed and are infecting patients without knowing it.
Paradise Medical Group is running a virtual practice as the federal government has announced expanded access to telehealth services.