US CMS increases telehealth availability in Medicare plans

The US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalised policies that will increase plan choices and benefits, including allowing Medicare Advantage plans to include additional telehealth benefits. The new policies will allow seniors in Medicare Advantage plans, living in rural areas, to access  telehealth for  the following types of care: dermatology, psychiatry, cardiology, otolaryngology, neurology, ophthalmology, allergy, immunology, nephrology, primary care, gynecology, endocrinology, and infectious diseases. The allowable use of telehealth was extended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.