The Number: 83
This July, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed the 2019 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program, which includes expanding Medicare-covered telehealth services to include prolonged preventive services.
While coverage of telehealth services is expanding, it appears that 83 percent of Medicare Advantage members either do not know if they can connect via their plan to telehealth providers, or do not think telehealth is offered at all through their plan. Our June/July 2018 HealthMine survey found 46 percent of Medicare members were unsure if their plan offers telehealth, while 37 percent said it is not offered.
Plus, the respondents were computer literate, as the survey was fielded online. And they are connected: 77 percent of respondents use a smart device (a smartphone or tablet).