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Table 1 Practice management challenges & proposed recommendations for coverage for medicare obesity benefit in rural areas

From: Telemedicine and primary care obesity management in rural areas – innovative approach for older adults?

 

Current state

Barrier

Recommendation

Personnel

Physician, Associate Provider, Clinical Nurse Specialist

Decreased supply of PCPs creating a gap in service coverage

Allowing other healthcare providers or peer-health coaching to deliver service

  

Lack of Specialized Services Available

Permit allied health providers in delivering service from larger, specialized centers

Frequency of Visits

22 visits provided by above personnel

Creation of an access issue in practices already overworked and overwhelmed

Maintain visit numbers

   

Delegate visits to allied health providers to off-set visits

Clinical Site

Face-to-face or Telemedicine-based office setting

Transportation issues create a barrier to providing health care services

Advocate for Telemedicine in rural areas

  

Individuals must resident and receive care in designated service areas

Eliminate requirement of service area

  

Home-based care is not covered

Permit home-based care

Reimbursement

G0477 Code - $27/visit

Reduced reimbursement to providers

Increase reimbursements or transition to value-based care model

  1. PCP primary care provider