The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Principal Deputy Inspector General Christi A. Grimm recently released a message regarding telehealth.
“Where telehealth and other remote access technologies were once a matter of convenience, the public health emergency made them a matter of safety for many beneficiaries,” says Grimm.
A year later, there is strong conversation regarding expanding coverage for telehealth services.
However, it is important that new policies and technologies with potential to improve care and enhance convenience achieve these goals and are not compromised by fraud, abuse, or misuse, Grimm says.
“OIG is conducting significant oversight work assessing telehealth services during the public health emergency,” Grimm says. “Once complete, these reviews will provide objective findings and recommendations that can further inform policymakers and other stakeholders considering what telehealth flexibilities should be permanent.”
Grimm says they anticipate the first work products to be published later this year.
In early February, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) announced an audit of home health services provided as telehealth during the public health emergency. Results are expected to be issued in 2022. (
HHL 2/22/21)