OIG: Most telehealth claims met requirements
By HME News Staff
Updated 8:34 AM CDT, Fri April 23, 2021
WASHINGTON - Medicare paid a total of $17.6 million for telehealth in 2015, compared with $61,302 in 2001, according to a report from the Office of Inspector General. The OIG reviewed 191,118 Medicare paid distant-site telehealth claims, totaling $13.8 million, that did not have corresponding originating-site claims, and reviewed provider supporting documentation for a random sample of 100 claims. The OIG found that 69 of the 100 claims met requirements. Of those that did not, the biggest reason (24 claims) was claims were unallowable because the beneficiaries received services at nonrural originating sites. Telehealth payments include a professional fee, paid to the practitioner performing the service at a distant site, and an originating-site fee, paid to the facility where the beneficiary receives the service.
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