Advanced Practice Provider Perceptions of Barriers and Opportunities for Conducting Telehealth Encounters in the PALTC Setting

Abstract

Prior to the Public Health Emergency of 2020/2021, telemedicine services were limited to specific geographic areas in the U.S. that were designated as Healthcare Resource Shortage Areas (HRSA). On January 31, 2020, HHS declared a public health emergency across the U.S. On March 13, 2020, HHS authorized waivers and modifications under Section 1135 of the Social Security Act. Reimbursement for telehealth services were included in the waivers to ensure that there would be no gaps in patient care. To prevent spread of the virus from center to center, clinicians were encouraged not to provide in-person care in more than one facility and/or not to provide in-person care if they had been exposed, were in quarantine or ill themselves.