COVID-19 is changing the way we live our daily lives and it’s also changing the healthcare industry. In order to limit contact, and ultimately limit the spread of COVID-19, care providers are becoming increasingly reliant on technology to provide people with the care they need. Using phone calls, video calls, and various forms of wireless communication to provide long-distance care is what is now being referred to as telehealth — and it is one example of how care providers are reaching out to those who need care without putting them, and caregivers, at risk.
In today’s blog from FOCOS Innovations, we want to discuss how the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is allowing an expansion of telehealth services, and what providers need to be aware of when it comes to maintaining HIPAA compliance. Keep reading to learn more, and if you’re looking for secure HIPAA-compliant software that can help you track, schedule, and report on the services you provide, contact us to schedule a free demonstration of our service management software.
Expansion of Telehealth
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has made it more challenging for many people to receive the healthcare they need. Government health officials have urged people to spend more time at home and practice safe social distancing when they must go out or interact with others. Unfortunately, those who rely on home- and community-based services for their care needs may be putting themselves at an increased risk when they interact with a caregiver who has come into contact with several others before them. Likewise, the caregiver is also at an increased risk, which is why CMS expanded the allowance of telehealth services for Medicaid recipients under the 1135 waiver.
Starting March 6, 2020, under this new waiver, Medicaid can be used for service visits furnished via telehealth and providers can bill for those services as if they were provided in person. Prior to this waiver, Medicaid could only be used for telehealth on a limited basis such as when the person receiving the service is in a designated rural area.
Telehealth and HIPAA-Compliance
The HIPAA Privacy Rule requires appropriate safeguards to be put in place to protect the privacy of personal health information and sets limits and conditions on the uses and disclosures that may be made of such information without patient authorization. With regard to telehealth services, providers must ensure that they are given in good faith — which means they are provided in a way that doesn’t violate a person’s privacy.
One such way to ensure HIPAA-compliance while administering telehealth services is by not using a public-facing remote communication product such as a public chat room or Facebook Live. Providers are expected to use communication products that allow for only the intended recipient to participate in the communication. Additionally, communication should be limited through individual user accounts, logins, or passwords and employ end-to-end encryption to ensure privacy.
Choosing the Right Service Management Software For HIPAA Compliance
If you’re looking for service management or EVV software that can easily integrate into your existing system offering you expanded functionality and robust security, we encourage you to explore the benefits of the service management software from FOCOS Innovations. Our web-based platform is WCAG 2.1 and HIPAA-compliant and allows for unlimited role-based access and permission controls. In addition to general permission controls, oftentimes there is also a need for various levels of access or permission to only access specific details. With our software, different levels of security can be created, allowing only certain people to access sensitive information.
Besides being a secure method for tracking telehealth and traditional services, our service management software offers an entire toolbox at your fingertips with key features like flexible scheduling options, custom interfaces, unlimited role-based permission controls, and access to information in real-time. Users of the software also benefit from its robust management console along with an intuitive user-friendly mobile app for added convenience and ease of communication. With all of these features and more, FOCOS Innovations can provide you with the flexible, secure, solution you’ve been looking for.
Contact a member of our team today to take a tour of our software and to learn more about how we can help you.