Traditional MedicareCoverageHigh impact
Telemedicine Cost Share Waiver Dropping for Medicare Members 1/1/24
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island·RI·Physician / Behavioral Health
Effective date
Jan 1, 2024
We identified it
Jun 19, 2026
Summary
Starting January 1, 2024, Medicare members will be charged the same copayments and deductibles for telemedicine visits as they pay for in-person office visits. The temporary cost-sharing waiver that eliminated patient costs for telehealth services during the Public Health Emergency has ended.
Action Required
By January 1, 2024: Billing team must update patient collection procedures to charge Medicare members their standard copayments and deductibles for telemedicine visits. Update front desk staff to inform Medicare patients about cost-sharing before telehealth appointments. Verify patient benefits and collect payments according to their Medicare plan's office visit cost-sharing structure.