Certain Medicare Beneficiaries, Such as Urban and Hispanic Beneficiaries, Were More Likely Than Others to Use Telehealth During the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Date Issued

Monday, August 29, 2022

Submitting OIG

Department of Health & Human Services OIG

Agencies Reviewed/Investigated

Department of Health & Human Services

Report Number

OEI-02-20-00522

Report Type

Audit

Agency Wide

Yes

Number of Recommendations

Questioned Costs

Funds for Better Use

Hide this report from display

Yes

Open Recommendations

This report has 4 open recommendations.

Recommendation Number	Significant Recommendation	Recommended Questioned Costs	Recommended Funds for Better Use
22-E-02-03101	No	$0	$0
CMS should take appropriate steps to enable a successful transition from current pandemic-related flexibilities to well-considered longterm policies for the use of telehealth for beneficiaries in urban areas and from the beneficiary's home.
22-E-02-03102	No	$0	$0
CMS should temporarily extend the use of audio-only telehealth services and evaluate their impact.
22-E-02-03103	No	$0	$0
CMS should require a modifier to identify all audio-only telehealth services provided in Medicare.
22-E-02-03104	No	$0	$0
CMS should use telehealth to advance health care equity.