The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will allow Medicare Advantage plans to offer expanded telehealth coverage to beneficiaries, beginning in 2020. This change is due to implementation of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 and is detailed in the Contract Year 2020 Medicare Advantage and Part D Flexibility Final Rule, published on April 5, 2019.

Additional telehealth benefits will now be able to be included in Medicare Advantage plan bids for benefits starting in plan year 2020, and plans will have broader flexibility in how they pay for coverage of telehealth benefits. Medicare Advantage patients have always been able to receive more telehealth services than patients enrolled in Original Medicare; however, the implementation of this section of the Act is expected to increase access to providers and services for Medicare Advantage enrollees, as patients will be able to receive care from home, rather than traveling to medical facilities.

Access the Contract Year 2020 Medicare Advantage and Part D Flexibility Final Rule Fact Sheet. Get more Medicare Resources for sleep medicine providers and learn more from the AASM about Medicare Policies.