Logistics of Rehabilitation Telehealth: Documentation, Reimbursement, and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

As a result of the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services expanded its telehealth benefit on a temporary and emergency basis. Effective March 6, 2020, Medicare will pay for Medicare telehealth services at the same rate as regular, in-person visits. Medicare has prescribed specific guidance on the billing and coding of such services, having an impact on reimbursement for qualified providers. Additional guidance also exists on acceptable telehealth communication platforms and patient privacy.