Posted on 03/17/2020 12:12:42 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on March 17 lifted all restrictions on telehealth services for Americans covered by Medicare to address the threat of the Wuhan coronavirus pandemic.
President Donald Trump announced the lifting of the limits during a press conference at the White House, calling it a historic breakthrough.
This has not been done before either, the president said.
Previously Medicare only covered telehealth services for those living in rural areas and brief visits for established patients. With the restrictions lifted, all 62 million Medicare beneficiaries can call a doctors office and request to have their appointments conducted remotely via software like Skype and WhatsApp.
Medicare recipients are 65 years or older, making the group among the most vulnerable to the virus.
This is a part of our larger effort around mitigation. As we are encouraging Americans to stay home whenever possible, we dont want out Medicare policies getting in the way, said CMS Administrator Seema Verma.
As a result, a person from the vulnerable population who needs a routine check up will not have to venture outside of his or her home and can avoid unnecessary exposure to the virus. Meanwhile, elderly Medicare recipients who are experiencing mild flu-like symptoms can avoid having to sit in waiting rooms with other vulnerable patients and see a doctor from the comfort of their homes.
Verma said that the agency made the change in accord with a recent appropriations bill and the emergency declaration issued by Trump.
This action is part of our broader effort to make sure that government requirements, rules, and regulations dont get in the way of patient care during an emergency, Verma said.
(Excerpt) Read more at theepochtimes.com ...
Absolutely outstanding and impressive. I always learn something new from these pressers. Both Trump and Pence are awesome leaders in a crisis... or otherwise of course. Hope more Americans discover that (what we FReepers already knew).
Not many are going to want Biden and his gang of clowns to take Trumps place.
Totally agree. Can you imagine Sleepy Creepy Senile Joe even holding a 10 minute presser?? And *of courses* he would destroy the economy and probably cost thousands of lives due to incompetency (like Obama did).
Well how about that! Live and learn.
A month out...President Trump is suspending all taxes and closing most federal agencies. Nancy Pelosi is seen behind PREZ tearing up the tax code at this historic event.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54BCLYNkFKg
IMO best R&R song in American history. YMMV.
MyVetHealth allows you to schedule visits, order prescriptions, ask questions, see all lab work and much more from your computer or phone.
Once or twice a year you see medical staff but it is so much better than my regular insurance and Medicare.
Do a search on “internet of things,” particularly medical devices.
Physicians across the U.S. are VERY relieved and thankful for the new Telemedicine provisions. This decision will truly save lives of both patients and health care providers.
If a condition is very serious, that is another matter. But that is not what telemedicine is designed for. If after a consultation the teledoctor thinks the patient needs to see medical help in person, they will say so. Meanwhile telemedicine allows regular doctors to focus their attention on more serious issues. And for the people who have more serious conditions, they will benefit as well by being able to be seen more easily with shorter wait times.
Something tells me Time Magazine has other plans...
God bless and protect this man.
At one point, I taught a state agency how to use a ticom/telepresence system to save money.
Pretty neat. I had no idea these things exist and I’m a gadget guy. Probably because my bp is normal and the need never arose.
LOL, that is amazing (to me)!
Maybe I’ll get one of each just for the hell of it.
There is one with 3 contacts [one on the back to simultaneous put on your ankle] that plots 6 signals.
The software is the key...provides pdf files that can be printed, emailed to physician. saved to your device, your cloud storage or to Livecorp cloud under monthly contract which also provides monthly summaries.
I have the Kardia 6L, capable of 6L data recording...because of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, an elusive bastard arrthymia to record because it comes and goes. Hard to discover in Dr. office or ER. Now I can catch it in real time for diagnosis. Amazing...the single lead is under $100, the 7 lead $150 about same size. Self contained battery with 3 yr life and can be replaced. No charging cords. It fits into a spare tri-fold wallet along with a USB C phone charging cord.
There's also a joint venture integrated product with Omron that takes blood pressure and EKG with wireless transmission to smart phones, using essentially the same software app.
I’m glad all this is so easily available to you folks who need it. I can only wonder what amazing things will be available in 5 or 10 yrs.
The MAGA agenda is more relevant than ever.
Good points, 9YearLurker...
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