Ferrante Quoted on Potential Pitfalls of Telehealth Reimbursement

Senior Counsel T.J. Ferrante was quoted in a Report on Medicare Compliance article, “With Telehealth on OIG Work Plan, Beware Pitfalls; CMS Proposes HHA Telehealth Past PHE,” about the potential pitfalls of telehealth reimbursement.

Ferrante said pending legislation in Congress would address the originating site requirement, which limits Medicare coverage of telehealth to services provided at hospitals and other providers in rural areas. “If I were a gambler, that’s what I would bet they would change,” he said.

There will come a time when the COVID-19 public health emergency will end, Ferrante added, and providers have to plan for how that may play out in terms of telehealth. “I have a number of clients that have been very opportunistic in building out, and I have to warn them, ‘You are building a business model, and you don’t know when the rug could be pulled out from under you,” he said. “While many of these exceptions will continue, we know some will sunset.”