Ferrante Quoted in mHealth Intelligence About Post-COVID-19 Telehealth Rules and Policies
June 15, 2020
mHealth Intelligence
Senior Counsel T.J. Ferrante was quoted in the mHealth Intelligence article, “Experts Weigh in on Post-COVID-19 Telehealth Rules and Policies,” about what will happen to telehealth once the emergency measures enacted during the pandemic to benefit telemedicine expire.
With telehealth adoption at record levels and both providers and patients calling for continued coverage, federal and state governments are under pressure to make those emergency measures permanent. Congress is under particular pressure to pass laws expanding telehealth coverage, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has signaled a willingness to review and likely revise its guidelines for Medicare and Medicaid coverage.
“Before the pandemic, Medicare fee-for-service coverage of telehealth services was extremely restrictive, with limitations for rural locations, originating sites, eligible practitioners and services, and qualifying technology,” said Ferrante. “The CARES Act allowed CMS to temporarily remove these requirements under broad waivers.”
Ferrante says both CMS and Congress will need to act.
“For example, removing the requirement that the patient be located in a qualifying originating site will require Congress to pass legislation amending the current statutory requirement,” he said. “Conversely, the amount of payment for telehealth services, and the specific CPT codes that will be paid by Medicare, can be adjusted by CMS without the Legislature’s approval.”
Ferrante said that telehealth coverage has long faced an uphill battle, particularly with Medicare, because there hasn’t been enough evidence to prove the utilization improves clinical outcomes and drives down costs.
“Notwithstanding, such opponents’ arguments, telehealth has become popular enough, and enough information may be gleaned from this pandemic experiment to garner the requisite bipartisan support,” he said. “Healthcare industry stakeholders should write and lobby members of Congress to make some telehealth waivers permanent through the next round of major coronavirus legislation under consideration. Similarly, stakeholders should provide their comments during the next release of proposed rulemaking by CMS.”
People
Related News
April 13, 2026
In the News
Increase in Demand and Firm Growth Led Foley to Large Leaps in Revenue and PEP in a 'Year When It All Came Together'
Foley & Lardner LLP saw double-digit increases and all-time highs across all financial metrics in 2025 as noted in The American Lawyer article, “Foley Grows Revenue by Nearly 14%, PEP by 27%, in a 'Year When It All Came Together'.”
April 10, 2026
In the News
Foley's Texas Media Roundtable Highlighted for Insights on Today's Energy Transformations
Foley & Lardner LLP is featured across media for the firm’s recent roundtable discussion on energy trends related to grid reliability, data centers, and capital investments.
April 10, 2026
In the News
Deanna Reitman and Glenn Reitman Highlighted Across Media for Foley Arrival
Foley & Lardner LLP partners Deanna Reitman and Glenn Reitman attracted widespread media coverage for their recent arrival to the firm’s Houston office.