The announcement by the Centers for Health & Medicaid ( CMS ) that they will reimburse telehealth physicians for certain virtual interactions has been well received by telemedicine advocates . Supporters of telehealth services see the move as overcoming a major hurdle in difficulties over payment . Within a far broader proposed rule change released by the CMS are plans to pay physicians for virtual check - ins and the reviewal of patient photos and videos . In addition , the proposals include new medical codes for “ prolonged preventative services ” and new remote monitoring reimbursement codes . That 0.2% increase to Medicare costs would be offset by a 0.2% reduction in the “conversion factor” to maintain budget neutrality. If finalized in its current form , the proposals have been described as a “ game changer ” within the telehealth industry by creating a broad -based reimbursement for telehealth services beyond their current rural and health care facility coverage . CMS is still developing their proposal . For example , they are consulting the industry over what types of “ communication technology ” are employed by physicians , so that they might refine the definition of virtual check - ins . An extra part of the changes may also be new treatment options for substance abuse , including virtual medication - assisted therapy . One of the most significant challenges at the moment though is how to maneuver around payment restrictions in Social Security Act , which limits telehealth payments to rural facilities . CMS knows that telehealth solutions will help drastically reduce their medical expenditure ; an in - person visit costs $ 92 while a virtual one costs only $ 14 and the current forecast is for one million visits in the first year of the proposal . These plans are primarily intended to support existing physician - patient relationships but there is support for direct - to - consumer telehealth providers as well . These providers are being consulted on areas where a review of patient images or videos does not require a prior relationship , and thereby include them in the new scheme .
The announcement by the Centers for Health & Medicaid ( CMS ) that they will reimburse telehealth physicians for certain virtual interactions has been well received by telemedicine advocates . Supporters of telehealth services see the move as overcoming a major hurdle in difficulties over payment . Within a far broader proposed rule change released by the CMS are plans to pay physicians for virtual check - ins and the reviewal of patient photos and videos . In addition , the proposals include new medical codes for “ prolonged preventative services ” and new remote monitoring reimbursement codes . If finalized in its current form , the proposals have been described as a “ game changer ” within the telehealth industry by creating a broad -based reimbursement for telehealth services beyond their current rural and health care facility coverage . CMS is still developing their proposal . For example , they are consulting the industry over what types of “ communication technology ” are employed by physicians , so that they might refine the definition of virtual check - ins . An extra part of the changes may also be new treatment options for substance abuse , including virtual medication - assisted therapy . One of the most significant challenges at the moment though is how to maneuver around payment restrictions in Social Security Act , which limits telehealth payments to rural facilities . CMS knows that telehealth solutions will help drastically reduce their medical expenditure ; an in - person visit costs $ 92 while a virtual one costs only $ 14 and the current forecast is for one million visits in the first year of the proposal . These plans are primarily intended to support existing physician - patient relationships but there is support for direct - to - consumer telehealth providers as well . These providers are being consulted on areas where a review of patient images or videos does not require a prior relationship , and thereby include them in the new scheme .