Healthcare industry lawyers Eric Knickrehm and Jake Harper recently authored a LawFlash analyzing medical licensure waivers issued in connection with the coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency that permit healthcare professionals to receive federal healthcare program reimbursement for telehealth services in states where they do not hold a license.
Noting that such waivers are limited in scope to conditions of participation and payment for federal healthcare programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Knickrehm cautions that “these waivers alone do not waive the requirement for physicians and other healthcare providers to maintain licensure in states where they are practicing a licensed profession, including via telehealth.” Waivers by state medical boards to implement emergency changes to licensure requirements are also addressed.