Nathaniel Lacktman Highlights Government Shutdown Impact on Medicare Payments for Telehealth

Foley & Lardner LLP partner Nathaniel Lacktman commented on the impact of the ongoing federal government shutdown for telehealth in the Bloomberg Law article, “Telehealth Users Face Service Disruption as Shutdown Drags on.”   

Lacktman, chair of Foley’s national Telemedicine & Digital Health Industry Team, said he advised clients months in advance to offer notices and self-pay arrangements with Medicare patients to make them aware that telehealth services could potentially not be covered. For the time being, providers can still submit claims to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), though CMS has said “payments will not be released until the hold is lifted.”

“More likely than not, they’ll pass a budget that includes telehealth,” Lacktman added. “If it’s retroactive, then those providers can submit all of those claims for payment going retroactive to October 1.”

For more information on telemedicine, telehealth, virtual care, remote patient monitoring, digital health, and other health innovations, including the team, publications, and representative experience, visit Foley’s Telemedicine & Digital Health Industry Team.