It’s not possible to know exactly what will happen in the coming days and weeks. Amidst this uncertainty, it seems highly likely that a “touchless” future will become increasingly in demand.
This past week offers updates to services, policy, and practice. Expect more announcements moving forward, but matching reimbursement for telehealth with in-person visits was a big deal. Many other changes have been put in place, eliminating co-pays, adding coverage for telehealth for those without insurance, and many others many of them state-by-state (see Florida and California, for example). Senior living companies are readying telehealth services (see Holiday Retirement) and no doubt more will follow.
PLANO, Texas, March 19, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- VitalTech, a rapidly growing market leader in Virtual Care, announced today that it is offering Senior Living and Long-Term Care Facilities free Telehealth access*. This comprehensive strategy allows caregivers, and their residents, full access to the VitalCare® platform. This initiative is implemented through a partnership with the Ziegler Link•Age Funds, in a joint effort to combat the Coronavirus pandemic.
HARTFORD, Conn., March 20, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Today CareCentrix announced that it is extending its advanced home technology package including telehealth, care collaboration and home monitoring tools at no cost to its network of 8,000 home health locations. CareCentrix's home telehealth platform allows agencies to better manage, monitor and care for patients in their homes rather than hospitals and subacute facilities.
Consider the directives aimed at senior living communities. Rant on. The Washington State nursing home deaths and the virus presence in multiple nursing homes have an immediate result. Nursing home visits are now restricted nationwide – and it appears, despite lack of clarity, that also means assisted living – the combination spanning 2.5 million nationally. Most people look at the lock-downs as completely sensible, preventing the spread of the virus to such a vulnerable population. And worker shortages already plaguing this industry are expected to worsen as workers call in sick, out of fear for themselves or their families.
This past week offers updates to services, policy, and practice. Expect more announcements moving forward, but 
Consider the directives aimed at senior living communities. Rant on. The 