7/15/2023 0 Comments Doctors visits![]() In terms of the quality of Medicare telehealth services, CMS identified concerns, including risks of harm to patients and provision of services that were not medically necessary (for example genetic testing). We found that CMS does not collect, assess, or report information about the quality of telehealth care given by Medicaid providers, and recommended they do so. We looked at how the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) monitors the quality of care provided to ensure that people enrolled in these programs receive the care they need. For those suffering from injury or disability, it might also be difficult to provide effective physical therapy via a video. It may also be more difficult to test a child’s reflexes or detect other symptoms during these important check-ups. Specifically, some officials we interviewed said it may be more difficult to hold a child’s attention during a telehealth visit. For example, we heard concerns about using telehealth to conduct child wellness visits. We also heard that telehealth just might not be a good fit for every patient. For example, doctors may not be able to diagnose problems, look at injuries, or conduct physical exams via phone. Visiting your doctor via video conference or phone can be useful when in-person care is not available. How quality of care could be impacted by telehealth We think HHS could do a better job notifying patients of these potential issues. Patients may not be aware of privacy and security concerns telehealth technology may pose. ![]() And, not everyone has the same level of tech savviness.Īlso, some health care providers, particularly those in smaller practices, may lack the technology needed to conduct a private and secure video visit. From our prior reporting, we know that millions of Americans still lack access to high-speed internet (broadband). For example, the technology used for video health appointments might not be accessible to everyone. ![]() Increased telehealth use also raises questions about access. Learn more about this increase by listening to our podcast with GAO’s Medicaid expert, Carolyn Yocom. We found that the number of telehealth services in those states increased dramatically-15x the pre-pandemic level (from 2.1 million the year prior to 32.5 million in the 12 months from March 2020 to February 2021). Despite these differences in pre-COVID access, we found dramatic increases in telehealth use under both programs.įor example, in March, we reported on changes in telehealth use among Medicaid beneficiaries living in five select states. But during COVID-19, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which oversees Medicare, waived some of its restrictions. By law, Medicare only paid for telehealth services under limited circumstances-for example, when access to in-person care is limited by location. Even before the pandemic, Medicaid beneficiaries had the flexibility to use telehealth services in most states. ![]()
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