HCBA Lawyer Magazine Vol. 28, No. 6 | Page 45

Continued from page 42 for the purpose of furnishing telehealth services related to the individual’s ESRD, and 3) the provision of the telehealth technologies meets any other requirements set forth in Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regulations. 4. Medicare Advantage Plans Can Finally Include Telehealth Services as a Basic Benefit The bill gives Medicare Advantage plans the ability to offer telehealth services as part of their basic benefit package (i.e., as if the telehealth services were benefits under the original Medicare fee-for-service program option). But exactly what telehealth services will qualify as a “basic benefit” is not fully defined. 5. The Patient’s Home is an Eligible Originating Site for Accountable Care Organizations Beginning January 1, 2020, the patient’s home qualifies as an eligible originating site for telehealth professional services provided by a physician or practitioner participating in certain Accountable Care Organizations, unless CMS deems a service inappropriate to furnish in the home setting. As with many of the other changes introduced by the new law, the patient’s home is not eligible for a facility fee. Healthcare Section Luncheon on may 14, the Healthcare Law Section held their popular annual Florida Healthcare Legislative update. the speakers erin Smith aebel and dipa Shah with Shumaker Loop & kendrick, LLp discussed various topics, including medical marijuana and mental health. thank you to the attendees who braved the rain to participate! thank you also to the luncheon sponsor: Author: Thomas (T.J.) Ferrante & Jacqueline N. Acosta – Foley & Lardner LLP SUMMER 2018 | HCBA LAWYER 43