TELEHEALTH SERVICES

NOTICE (Updated 2/22/22): It is required that clinicians use a HIPAA compliant telehealth platform.  Although Federal requirements have been lifted through the end of the public health emergency, there are different requirements from commercial payers.  Our largest commercial payer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, requires a HIPAA compliant platform and they will perform audits.  Any practice not using a HIPAA compliant platform is at risk and should plan to convert to a different platform.

Our Network, in coordination with Tufts Medical Center and Tufts Medicine is offering Network practices the opportunity to provide telehealth services. Interested providers will receive training and support to successfully conduct virtual visits with their patients.

NEW: Medical Office Safety Guide for Virtual Visits

HHS Telehealth Expansion for Certain COVID-19 Care Across State Lines - On December 3, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced an expansion of telehealth policy that would allow physicians and other providers to administer certain COVID-19-related services via telehealth across state lines.The covered countermeasures are specific to COVID-19 care and include, for example, diagnostic tests that received emergency use authorization from the FDA or antivirals, drugs, or biologics to treat, prevent, cure, or limit the harm of COVID-19. Notably, the amendment preempts state laws prohibiting telehealth across state lines. 

Telehealth Resource Guide and Appendix

Use this guide, developed by NEQCA's Medical Directors and Practice Performance Team, to evaluate the telehealth operations at your Practice. 

• NEQCA has collected available patient-facing Telehealth Guides for several EMRs and Telehealth Platforms. Practices may reference them as needed.

Coding and Billing for Telehealth

• Summary of Telehealth Coding Requirements (Review for updates)
• Documentation, Billing and Coding Guidance to Providers for Telehealth Services

Clinical Resources

• AMA Telehealth Implementation Playbook
• Executive Order: Expanding Access to Telehealth Services
• Telehealth Interim Solutions
• Tufts MC Telehealth Appointments Now Available – March 18, 2020

Operational Resources

• NEQCA Assistance with Telehealth: Short-List of HIPAA Compliant Telehealth Vendors - June 10, 2020 (Version 1)  
• Patient Outreach - Who May Be Appropriate for Telehealth Visits
• Telehealth Best Practice Workflows - April 27, 2020

For Patients

• Boston Magazine - All of Your Questions about Using Telehealth, Answered  - May 13, 2020

American Well (Amwell) Resources

• Using American Well (Amwell) Telehealth FAQ

Tutorials for Providers

• VIDEO and Documentation: Installing Amwell iPhone/iPad app
• VIDEO and Documentation: Using Amwell on a desktop/laptop with webcam, microphone and speaker

How to schedule an appointment

• VIDEO and Documentation: Using Amwell on a desktop/laptop

Tutorials for Patients

• VIDEO: Installing Amwell smartphone (Android/iPhone/iPad) app

• VIDEO and Documentation: Using Amwell on a desktop/laptop with webcam, microphone and speaker

Webinars and Presentations

Tips for Telehealth Success with Drs. Davis Bu (Adult PCP), Sheila Morehouse (Pediatric PCP) and Bindiya Thakkar (Endocrinologist): Webinar - April 15, 2020