government
Medicare streamlines telehealth credentialing
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted May 16, 2011
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has simplified credentialing requirements for hospitals and doctors seeking to deliver telehealth services in remote areas.
CMS changed the process hospitals use for granting privileges to physicians who provide care using telemedicine systems, the agency stated in a final rule released May 2. The regulation extends the option of a streamlined enrollment process to small hospitals and critical access facilities that use telemedicine services. The action will improve access to specialty services for Medicare patients, CMS said.
"CMS' new rules will truly help patients receive the care they need, no matter where they live or where their doctor is located," said Dale Alverson, MD, president of the American Telemedicine Assn.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/05/16/gvbf0516.htm.
