For more information about this blog post, please contact Khaled J. Klele, Ryan M. Magee, or Labinot Alexander Berlajolli.

Proposed Telemedicine Rules

The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs introduced a series of proposed rules intended to expand healthcare providers’ ability to engage in telemedicine and telehealth. The proposed rules span a number of healthcare providers, including dentists and dental hygienists, marriage and family therapy counselors, respiratory care practitioners, and occupational therapists.

Collectively, the proposed rules expressly permit the provision of, and establish standards of care for, telemedicine and telehealth services. The proposed rules also outline the proper steps for establishing patient/client relationships and provide guidance on proper prescribing practices. Additionally, the rules impose protocols for the maintenance of patient and client records and require enhanced privacy practices to ensure the confidentiality of the same.

The proposed rules are open to public comment through May 14, 2021.

CMS Increases Medicare Payment for COVID-19 Administration

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) has increased the amount Medicare will pay to providers for administering the COVID-19 vaccine. Effective March 15, the national average payment rate for physicians, hospitals, pharmacies, and many other immunizers will be $40 for a single dose vaccine and $80 for a double dose vaccine, for which, previously, Medicare reimbursed providers about $28 and $45, respectively. The exact payment rate for administration of each dose of a COVID-19 vaccine will depend on the type of entity that furnishes the service and will be geographically adjusted based on where the service is furnished.