New CMS rules validate the critical role of caregivers

Last month the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) — through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) — proposed new rules that underscore something that we know deeply here at Wellthy: caregivers are a critical part of our healthcare ecosystem, and the infrastructure behind them can have dramatic impacts on the health of patients.

Under the new rules — part of proposed changes to the Caregiver Training Codes that CMS issued last year in the Medicare physician fee schedule —caregiver training services will now be allowed to be provided virtually and/or via telehealth. That includes training services for the treatment plan like wound dressing, diet preparation, medication administration, infection control, and more—critical pieces of daily care that have a massive impact on the well-being of loved ones. 

Allowing this kind of virtual or telehealth training for caregivers is a resounding win for families. 

Ellen Rudy, Head of Population Health at Wellthy points to Wellthy's near-decade of work alongside families as proof that virtual caregiver training and support work:

"We see a 90% reduction in caregiver stress, and are able to provide families 100% access to a dedicated and trained Care Coordinator — a full-time, trained social worker or healthcare expert who is able to ensure the caregiver feels confident in caring for their loved one in the home." 

The new proposed Caregiver Training Codes — Caregiver Training HCPCS 97550 and Caregiver Training HCPCS 97551 — would allow for 90 minutes of virtual or telehealth training, with additional fifteen minute increments as necessary. 

This change is significant. Research demonstrates that caregiver involvement in a loved one's care leads to a 28% reduction in emergency department visits and a 32% decrease in inpatient hospital admissions.

These proposed new rules represent a crucial step towards providing families with an improved, modernized care infrastructure, ensuring caregivers and the loved ones they’re caring for have the tools, skills, education, and resources needed to succeed. 

We'd love to share more about how Wellthy has been delivering this kind of virtual caregiving support and training for years, and how our approach aligns with these new CMS rules. If you're interested in learning more about how this could benefit you or your organization, we'd be happy to connect. Simply fill out this brief form, and a member of our team will reach out to schedule a conversation at your convenience.