Summary
In light of recent federal developments on the telemedicine front – including provisions in the 21st Century Cures Act – TRP Health Policy explores the reimbursement and regulatory landscape for telemedicine services. We begin with a brief definition of telemedicine, in contrast to broader telehealth services (sec. II), before outlining how government and private payers reimburse providers for certain telemedicine services (sec. III). Additionally, the memo identifies alternative sources of telemedicine funding via grant and demonstration projects (sec. IV). HHS has also recently issued a federal compendium reflecting these and other telehealth policies. Finally, the memorandum examines major policy issues that may impact telemedicine at sec. V.