01:15 PM
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General recognized telehealth's potential while cautioning that steps must be taken to ensure virtual care will not be compromised by fraud.
OIG Principal Deputy Inspector General Christi A. Grimm wrote in a statement on Friday that the quick pivot to telemedicine amidst the COVID-19 pandemic makes oversight, transparency, accountability and program integrity all the more important.
"OIG is conducting significant oversight work assessing telehealth services during the public health emergency. Once complete, these reviews will provide objective findings and recommendations that can further inform policymakers and other stakeholders considering what telehealth flexibilities should be permanent," wrote Grimm.