The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is proposing that Medicare beneficiaries can receive annual wellness visits, psychotherapy, psychoanalysis and “prolonged evaluation and management services” via telehealth, according to updated Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) for the 2015 calendar year.

Covered as Category 1 services, they are defined as “similar to professional consultations, office visits and office psychiatry services” currently covered by the agency.

Wellness visits, CMS says, would include a personalized prevention plan of service, an initial visit and a subsequent visit.

Prolonged evaluation and management services include “prolonged service in the office or other outpatient setting” that required direct patient contact beyond usual care. Coding for both the first hour beyond such care, and each additional 30 minutes will be provided by the CMS.

The proposed rule also includes changes to relative value units for calendar year 2015 and creates a process for added transparency in developing payment rates.The proposed rule also includes changes to relative value units for calendar year 2015 and creates a process for added transparency in developing payment rates.

Moreover, the CMS proposes changes to the ambulance fee schedule regulations, the Physician Compare Website, the Physician Quality Reporting System, the Medicare Shared Savings Program, the Value-Based Payment Modifier and the Physician Feedback Program.

The rule is set to be published in the Federal Register on July 11, and agency will accept comments on the proposal through September 2. The proposed rule can be downloaded from here (PDF).

[Via: FierceHealthIT]