To the United States Congress and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Advisory Committee,
We — the undersigned speech pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapy assistants, physical therapy assistants, home health agencies, trainees, staff, researchers, and supporters — recommend an immediate reevaluation of CMS’s policy on restricting telehealth billing for home health therapists given the lack of PPE and the fact that in March, Congress passed the CARES Act, which stated that CMS should do everything in its power to promote the use of telehealth during COVID-19.
As you well know, we are in the midst of a global pandemic, and it is a benefit to public health to keep as many people out of hospitals as possible. Home health providers provide services that keep patients safe at home and lessen the strain on hospital systems. There are over 13,000 Home Health companies in the US that employ essential works in the tens to thousands to reduce the risk and ensure that one of the most vulnerable populations, the elderly/geriatric, avoid readmissions into the hospital.
Yet home health providers are not a prioritized group to receive PPE, despite the fact we travel house to house every day to see our patients. Hospitals are providing telehealth rehabilitation services when appropriate under CARES, yet home health providers are effectively penalized for doing so because they are “paying for costly telehealth systems and visits without financial support from government payers while, at the same time, being exposed to low-utilization payment adjustments (LUPAs)” -Robert Holly (Home Healthcare News).
We are collectively obligated to promote public health interventions that effectively address the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.
While CMS’s recent work to allow more telehealth visits is a step in the right direction, it falls short of protecting home health providers and our patients.
With hospitals providing the same services as home health providers by telehealth, it is clear that this is an effective solution that should be implemented immediately.
Allowing telehealth visits by home health providers when appropriate will prevent the spread of COVID-19 and mitigate the negative effects of the PPE shortage.
As such, we recommend an immediate change to CMS’s current policy and the creation of a mechanism for telehealth reimbursement for home health providers.
With respect,
Michael Flood Jr. CCC-SLP
Owner/President of Essential Healthcare Staffing
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Endorsements
Ally Cagaanan, Occupational Therapist
Shannon Wooten, Speech-Language Pathologist
Mia Calamba, Physical Therapist Assistant
Joann F., Home Health Supervisor
Tiffany Godley, supporter
Marjorie D., student
Krystal James, In-Home Support
Fatima Nunez, Home Health Coder
Glaiza Joy Senina, RN
Shakila Brown, supporter
Gineekia Welch, supporter
Rhea Prudente, RN
Javaris Weston, supporter
Lakesha Kirkland, supporter
Julie Baronda, RN
Finichia Hoskins, Speech Pathologist
Danielle Campbell, Certified Nurse Assistant
Shavika Mack, supporter
Sabrina Bishop, Public Health Nurse
Arkeedah McCormick, supporter
Dawnielle Davis, supporter
Agniman Eve, RN
Angela Thompson, supporter
La’Conya Manuel, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Erica Franks, Physical Therapist
Cathie Wiggs, Occupational Therapist
Lorraine Goed, Occupational Therapist
Jessica Richard, Occupational Therapist
Alexis Persoff Canfora, Speech-Language Pathologist
Angela Davis, supporter
Patricia Aloisi, Occupational Therapist
Chris Johnson, Mental Health Tech
Maria Nimfa Chambers, Speech-Language Pathologist
Leah Kirkland, supporter
It is uncertain as a provider the type of social interactions our families have on a daily basis.
Exactly! That’s why telehealth is so important during this time.
If we want people to stay at home and not in institutions this is just common sense.
Absolutely! Thanks for the support Cynthia!