Dallas, TX – Thursday, June 27- The Health & Voluntary Benefits Association® (HVBA) is thrilled to extend a warm invitation to all benefits professionals for the upcoming Benefit Roadshow, an industry networking event, scheduled for Thursday, June 27, 2024.

The HVBA Benefit Roadshow promises an engaging and informative experience for attendees. This exclusive event will feature three compelling Continuing Education (CE) sessions, offering invaluable insights into the latest updates in legislation related to the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), and Long-Term Care (LTC) as well as Decoding Medicaid and Medicare.

Following these enriching sessions, attendees will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Benefits Roadshow networking reception. This segment of the event offers a platform for professionals to network, forge valuable business connections, and explore potential prospects in the industry. Attendees can also enjoy delectable hors d’oeuvres, premium cocktails, and an atmosphere conducive to fruitful conversations.

“We are excited to host the HVBA Benefit Roadshow, bringing together professionals from the benefits industry for a day of learning, networking, and collaboration,” said Rob Shestack, Chairman & CEO of the HVBA. “Our aim is to provide a platform where attendees can gain insights, connect with colleagues and new business partners, and stay informed about the latest developments shaping our industry.”

In a gesture of appreciation to our attendees, HVBA is pleased to offer complimentary tickets to this event, made possible through the generous support of our sponsors.

To secure your spot at this exciting event and to access further details, please click here.

Take advantage of this opportunity to be part of the HVBA Benefit Roadshow and take your professional network to new heights!

For inquiries or additional information, please get in touch with Jenny Jenkins, SVP of Operations, at jjenkins@vbassociation.com or call (561) 398-1060.

About Health & Voluntary Benefits Association® (HVBA)
HVBA is a leading organization dedicated to providing resources, education, and networking opportunities for professionals in the health and voluntary benefits industry. HVBA aims to foster collaboration, innovation, and excellence in the field through events, workshops, and online platforms.

Media Contact
Jenny Jenkins
SVP of OPS
jjenkins@vbassociation.com
561-398-1060

ST. LOUIS, March 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The pet experts at Purina are teaming up with Petzey, an on-demand mobile pet telehealth and wellness app, to make access to quality veterinary care more convenient for busy U.S. pet parents. Petzey offers on-demand pet health and wellness guidance through affordable virtual vet consultations and adds to Purina’s growing list of pet expert-created content, tools and technology designed to help pet owners find, feed and care for their dogs and cats.

As timely and affordable access to veterinary care continues to be a challenge for pet owners, Petzey blends technology with traditional care by providing on-demand access to certified veterinary professionals nationwide for expert pet health and wellness guidance. Virtual vet consultations on Petzey cost $20, offering a cost-effective supplement to traditional in-office veterinary care with quick access to a veterinary professional for immediate pet parent questions or concerns about their pet’s health.

“Petzey is designed for the new generation of pet parents who are looking for services that are not only tech-forward but also deeply rooted in genuine care and accessibility,” said Ameetess Dira, Chief Marketing Officer of Petzey. “Broadening access to affordable pet care helps pave the way for continued innovation and, most importantly, healthier pets across the country.”

By working with Purina, members of the MyPurina program are able to redeem their Purina Perks points for discounts on Petzey telehealth consults. Access to exclusive offers from Petzey and other partners are available in the MyPurina app, a curated hub for every stage of the pet parenting journey. From creating unique pet profiles and providing at-home enrichment activities to bond better with their dogs and cats, to offering personalized nutrition information and access to tools and technology from Purina experts and trusted partners, like Petzey, the MyPurina app provides tailored information, experiences and offers to pet parents in one convenient place. 

“Purina is trusted by veterinarians and pet owners alike as a company of pet experts who truly understand pets and pet wellness, and we’re excited to team up with others in the industry, like Petzey, who share our mission to help pets live longer, healthier lives,” said Nathan Marafioti, Vice President of New Business Models at Purina. “The MyPurina app brings the knowledge of hundreds of Purina pet experts and our trusted partners to the fingertips of pet parents.” 

Additional Petzey discounts and trial opportunities will soon be available from Purina and its portfolio of trusted pet food and litter brands and growing roster of Petivity pet technology products.

About Purina
Nestlé Purina PetCare creates richer lives for pets and the people who love them. Founded in 1894, Purina has helped dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives by offering scientifically based nutritional innovations.

Purina manufactures some of the world’s most trusted and popular pet care products, including Purina Cat Chow, Purina ONE, Pro Plan, Fancy Feast and Tidy Cats. Our more than 10,000 U.S. associates take pride in our trusted pet food, treat and litter brands that feed 46 million dogs and 68 million cats every year. More than 500 Purina scientists, veterinarians, and pet care experts ensure our commitment to unsurpassed quality and nutrition. Purina promotes responsible pet care through our scientific research, our products and our support for pet-related organizations.

Over the past five years, Purina has contributed more than $150 million towards organizations that bring, and keep, people and pets together, as well as those that help our communities and environment thrive. Purina is part of Nestlé, a global leader in Nutrition, Health and Wellness. For more information, visit purina.com or subscribe here to get the latest Purina news.

About Petzey
Petzey is a US-based pet health and wellness company. Driven by a passion for animals, technology, and innovation, Petzey has developed a proprietary routing technology called PetzeyMatch that connects pet parents to the company’s Network of Virtual Vets, a nationwide community of certified veterinary professionals representing most specialties of breeds and medical conditions. Petzey’s purpose is to enable a happier and more joyful world through healthy pets and happy pet parents.

To learn more about Petzey, visit petzey.com or connect with Petzey on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram.

SOURCE Purina

The Health & Voluntary Benefits Association® (HVBA) is pleased to conclude our recent event for benefits professionals, the HVBA Benefit Networking Roadshow. This distinguished gathering took place on Thursday, March 7, 2024.

This event catered to a select group of professionals in the benefits industry, offering two Continuing Education (CE) sessions. Following these sessions, attendees had the chance to engage in a networking reception under the desert sky.

The main goal of this event was to facilitate prospecting, foster business connections, and provide insights into the latest updates in legislation related to the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), Long-Term Care (LTC), and “Junk Insurance.”

Industry experts, including Rob Shestack, Jake Velie, Amy Nelli, and Dan Robinson, shared valuable information regarding the latest developments in CAA, ERISA, LTC, and “Junk Insurance.” Given the significant changes, acquiring this information was crucial to avoid potential fines.

Jake Velie, Vice Chairman, President and COO of HVBA, and Chairman & CEO of National Integrative Health, remarked, “The HVBA Benefit Networking Roadshow is an extremely powerful and efficient way to not only stay on the forefront of regulatory and legislative movements and updates, but also find innovative new solutions and partnerships during powerful networking, while enjoying an open bar and delicious food.”

Despite weather challenges, including a rare desert rain deluge, the event saw a good turnout, with professionals networking and forging connections. The breathtaking sites of the Southwest, accompanied by a desert chimenea fire and a display of Arizona’s unique sights, tastes, and sounds, made for a memorable experience.

Bill Nazur, Entrepreneur in Health and Hospitality, commented, “The networking opportunities were unparalleled. I connected with industry experts and like-minded professionals, forging valuable relationships. This experience was memorable, with a desert chimenea fire and a delightful showcase of Arizona’s unique flavors.”

The success of the Benefit Networking Roadshow was made possible with the support of our sponsors and the entire Board of Advisors. We express our gratitude for their contributions, enabling us to host a fantastic event for our attendees and partners while connecting with our members.

As we conclude this successful event, we are pleased to announce our next destination, Dallas, TX, on June. Stay tuned for more details.

For press inquiries, please contact:
Jenny Jenkins 
Senior Vice President of Operations
Health & Voluntary Benefits Association® (HVBA)
jjenkins@vbassociation.com 
561-398-1060 

About the Health & Voluntary Benefits Association® (HVBA)
The Health & Voluntary Benefits Association® (HVBA) is a leading organization dedicated to connecting benefits professionals, fostering collaboration, and providing essential insights into the dynamic landscape of health and voluntary benefits. With a commitment to excellence, HVBA organizes events that empower professionals with knowledge, networking, and opportunities for growth.

The American Institute of Healthcare Compliance
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization

March 6, 2024 Compliance Update

30 states do not have general out-of-state provider telehealth allowances!

When telehealth is used, it is considered to be rendered at the physical location of the patient, and therefore a provider typically needs to be licensed in the patient’s state.

Because it can be burdensome on providers to get licensed in every state they wish to practice in via telehealth, many states have adopted interstate compacts which allow specific providers to practice in states they are not licensed in as long as they hold a license in good standing in their home state.
 

According to a recent notice from the CCHP, the National Telehealth Policy Resource Center, the “simplest” way for providers to ensure they can provide care in all instances is getting licensed in all states, however that is not feasible for most. In this notice is reference to a report published by the Pacific Legal Foundation entitled “In 30 states, you can’t use telehealth with out-of-state doctors” now that the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) is over. “In state after state, starting as early as 2021, legislators and medical boards began rolling back telehealth access, ending waivers and—in most states—reverting to pre-pandemic restrictions.”

On January 17, 2024, the Cicero Institute, a nonpartisan policy organization, published the third annual telehealth innovation report under article category for Telemedicine Across State Lines entitled 2024 State Policy Agenda for Telehealth Innovation. As you scroll through the report, you’ll find a straightforward stoplight rating system for each state indicating alignment of that state’s policies with identified best practices.

To review all laws and policies impacting telehealth by state, and federally, please access CCHP’s Telehealth Policy Finder. The Center for Connected Health Policy (CCHP) provides information on professional requirements by tracking six licensure compacts:

1. Interstate Medical Licensure Compact
2. Nurses Licensure Compact
3. Physical Therapy Compact
4. Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact
5. Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact
6. Emergency Medical Services Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact

Coding & Billing Medicare Telehealth Services 2024

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published an updated Telehealth Services Fact Sheet listing new CPT and HCPCS codes for 2024, new/expanded telehealth services, removing frequency limitations in 2024, and other important billing compliance information.

Download MLN901705 February 2024 for more information. Additional CMS references:

• Section 190 of the Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 12
• Telehealth Policy Changes after the COVID-19 PHE from Telehealth.HHS.gov
• Best Practice Guides – practical recommendations for providers from Telehealth.HHS.gov

SOURCE: (American Institute of Healthcare Compliance, personal communication, March 6, 2024)

By: Center for Connected Health Policy

Last month the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released an updated Telehealth Services Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Fact Sheet reflecting new information for 2024. Most of the guidance remains unchanged and updates largely focus around incorporating already adopted policies from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (CAA 2023) and CY 2024 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Final Rule. However, the document serves to assist providers struggling to keep up with shifting billing rules and offers the potential to clarify outstanding reimbursement issues as well as provide a reminder of current Medicare telehealth policies.

The CMS Fact Sheet also describes general telehealth coverage rules and provides background on pre-COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) policy in addition to extended PHE flexibilities. For instance, it describes permanent laws that limit eligible originating sites and distant site providers while clarifying that through December 31, 2024, such restrictions are waived. Currently, due to extended PHE flexibilities, patients can receive services wherever they are located and all providers who are eligible to bill Medicare can provide distant site telehealth. In addition, while Medicare typically only covers live video telehealth, there are ongoing allowances for audio-only in some instances.

Where Medicare billing for telehealth services gets most complicated is in regard to specific payment rules and coding requirements. Reimbursement questions are what CCHP receives frequently from providers, as billing policies vary depending on the type of provider and service provided, making application of the rules different in various circumstances. For instance, the CMS Fact Sheet includes updated information related to telehealth modifiers and Place of Service (POS) codes that commonly are the subject of the billing questions received by CCHP. Some of the updated information most helpful to highlight relate to different guidance for hospitals and non-hospital-based providers. The use of modifier 95 is being extended in the updated guidance but only when the clinician is in the hospital and the patient is in the home, as well as for outpatient therapy services provided via telehealth by qualified physical therapists (PTs), occupational therapists (OTs), or speech language pathologists (SLPs) through December 31, 2024. As noted in the Fact Sheet, hospitals and other providers of PT, OT, SLP, diabetes self-management training (DSMT) and medical nutrition therapy (MNT) services that remain on the Medicare telehealth services list may continue to bill for these services when provided remotely in the same way they’ve been during the PHE, except that:

• For outpatient hospitals, patients’ homes no longer need to be registered as provider-based entities to allow for hospitals to bill for these services
• The 95 modifier is required on claims from all providers, except for Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) electing Method II, as soon as hospitals needing to do so can update their systems

For non-hospital-based providers, the updated Fact Sheet information states providers should also continue billing telehealth claims with the POS indicator used for an in-person visit and, starting January 1, 2024, use:

• POS 02-Telehealth to indicate you provided the billed service as a professional telehealth service when the originating site is other than the patient’s home
• POS 10-Telehealth for services when the patient is in their home

One additional issue connected to this new POS guidance has become apparent. As recently reported by Noridian, a Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC), despite CMS previously stating that POS 10 would receive the higher non-facility rate when billed (see CMS 2024 PFS, CMS 2024 PFS MLN, and CCHP’s 2024 PFS Fact Sheet for more information), it appears CMS has instead been reimbursing at the lower facility rate so far this year. CCHP has received several inquiries on the subject and has reached out to CMS for clarification, with no new guidance provided as of yet. As also noted in the Noridian article, it is understood that CMS is aware of the issue and currently looking further into it. CCHP will provide more updates and additional clarifications on Medicare telehealth billing issues once new information is received.

Other updates in the latest version of the Fact Sheet include:

• New codes added to the Medicare telehealth services list
  • CPT codes 0591T – 0593T for health and well-being coaching services, added on a temporary basis
  • HCPCS code G0136 for Social Determinants of Health Risk Assessment, added on a permanent basis
• Other CAA 2023/CY 2024 PFS additions, such as:
  • Continuing payment for telehealth services rural health clinics (RHCs) and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) provided using the methodology established for those telehealth services during the PHE
  • Delaying mental health telehealth and RHC/FQHC in-person requirements
  • Allowing teaching physicians to use audio or video real-time communications technology in all residency training locations through the end of CY 2024
  • Removing frequency limitations in 2024 for subsequent inpatient visits, subsequent nursing facility visits, critical care consultation
• CY 2024 Originating site facility fee amount – HCPCS Code Q3014 describes the Medicare telehealth originating sites facility fee. Bill MAC for the separately billable Part B originating site facility fee. The payment amount for HCPCS code Q3014 (Telehealth originating site facility fee) is 80% of the lesser of the actual charge ($29.96 for CY 2024 services)

Other items covered in the Fact Sheet include:

• Through December 31, 2024, you may use telehealth to conduct hospice care eligibility recertification
• CMS has extended the Acute Hospital Care at Home Program, which heavily relies on telehealth for hospitals to provide inpatient services, including routine services, outside the hospital
• Telehealth Home Health information – G-Codes indicating use of telehealth technology in providing home health services
• General billing rules regarding billing covered telehealth to Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs)
• Consent for care management and virtual communication services requirements

For additional Medicare telehealth billing information, please view the following resources:

• Review Provider Billing Medicare FFS Telehealth for billing and coding information for Medicare Fee-for Service claims
• HHS Telehealth policy changes after the COVID-19 public health emergency
• HHS Telehealth Information for Patients and Providers

As always, federal telehealth information can be found on CCHP’s online policy finder, in the federal section. As we move forward, CCHP will continue to keep readers updated on the latest in Medicare telehealth billing.

SOURCE: (Center for Connected Health Policy, personal communication, March 5, 2024)