A
recent bulletin from the
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Office for the Advancement of Telehealth (OAT) highlights helpful resources for older adults and telehealth in recognition of September being Healthy Aging Month. Developed by the
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the resources include a
best practice guide addressing telehealth accessibility for older patients, as well as a website focusing on
telehealth considerations for older adults. Together this information showcases the value of telehealth especially in terms of managing health care needs from home, while also providing comprehensive patient and provider information on the use of telehealth specific to certain conditions and populations.
HHS'
telehealth for older adults best practice guide covers
getting started basics for providers, including types of telehealth technologies used and suggestions for onboarding older patients. For instance, the website discusses incorporating telehealth-specific questions into provider intake processes to determine patient preferences in regard to technology generally as well as particular telehealth modalities to take into account different needs, such as those related to limited resources or digital literacy. When
developing a telehealth strategy, HHS recommends adjusting workflows to accommodate technology test runs and difficulties, along with potentially utilizing
digital health navigators to help increase the patient’s understanding and comfort with the technology. Incorporating a patient’s caregiver may also improve telehealth accessibility for older patients. Additional resources are provided, as well as a spotlight on the
Center for Excellence for Telehealth and Aging, which focuses on advancing age-inclusive telehealth for older adults. The
preparing older adults for telehealth section of the guide discusses similar supports to ensure equal access to telehealth, in addition to suggesting the use of digital health tools for cognitive and sensory impairments, which may include screen readers, transcription, or closed captioning. If a patient doesn’t have sufficient broadband or digital device access, providers may also consider the use of audio-only telehealth or patient portal messaging. HHS recommends providers tell their patients about the
Federal Communications Commission’s Lifeline program that assists eligible households in paying for internet services and connected devices.
A substantial portion of the best practice guide covers
billing for telehealth, which can be a complex policy area for providers. In terms of
Medicare, the website suggests viewing the
list of eligible telehealth services and also provides a list of frequently used Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) and Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes. HHS notes that
Medicare policies for telehealth continue to evolve and coding guidance is subject to change. The
Center for Connected Health Policy (CCHP) recently released its own resource covering this policy area, its new
2024 Medicare Fee-for-Service Billing Guide. Medicare is especially confusing at the moment given that many current Medicare telehealth policies are temporarily extended through the end of 2024. CCHP’s updated billing guide focuses on billing under those temporary policies, though there are notations throughout the guide if permanent telehealth Medicare policies differ. CCHP cautions that there could be additional clarifications or updates made at any given moment, which will not be reflected in the guide. Therefore, CCHP always recommends readers to keep abreast of any additional policy changes by subscribing to the
Medicare Learning Network Newsletter, as well as other
resources produced by CCHP and
your regional telehealth resource center.
The HHS guide also notes considerations for patients with
Medicare Advantage (MA), as MA plans may cover additional telehealth services. MA plans as well as private insurance policies vary, and it is best to contact them directly to determine their telehealth coverage requirements. CCHP does track
state telehealth policies applicable to private payers, as well as
state Medicaid telehealth policies, which also vary in their billing requirements. CCHP’s Medicare policy information can be viewed on its
federal page.
Lastly, HHS' best practices guide covers types of telehealth for older adults in three specific areas:
- Telebehavioral Health
- Telehealth for Chronic Conditions
- Telehealth for Alzheimer’s Disease
HHS'
older adult patient considerations regarding telehealth also include
cancer-specific resources and how telehealth can improve patient access and choice by offering a wider range of health care services and specialists. These patient-tailored resources cover information similar to the provider best practices guide, while also offering patient privacy
steps and
tips, in addition to a
tip sheet to learn more about telehealth for individuals with communication disabilities.
There are a number of resources available for those interested in providing and receiving care via telehealth. As policies continue to change, it is important that this information as well as telehealth itself remain accessible in order to ensure all patients can receive the best care possible. For more information on the older adults and telehealth resources referenced, please view the
HRSA OAT bulletin and its linked websites in their entirety.