Urgent Call for Action on Medicare Telehealth Policies
Advocacy from Healthcare Groups
Provider and telehealth organizations are urging Congress to act on Medicare virtual care flexibilities as the sector approaches another deadline for potential expiration of these policies. The American Medical Association (AMA), a prominent healthcare lobbying group, emphasized on Monday the need for lawmakers to make the pandemic-era telehealth policies permanent. They argue that the “repeated cycle of temporary extensions” has compromised access to care.
Upcoming Deadline for Telehealth Flexibilities
The telehealth reimbursement flexibilities, which expanded Medicare coverage, are scheduled to expire on January 30. This deadline comes just months after the policies were reinstated following a government shutdown this fall. Alexis Apple, vice president of federal affairs at the American Telemedicine Association, stated on Tuesday, “We are counting on our government champions to find a permanent solution or at least to establish a long-term extension for these telehealth waivers.”
Background on Telehealth Policies
Initial Implementation During the Pandemic
The telehealth flexibilities were initially enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic to maintain access to care while minimizing in-person contact. These policies significantly altered the telehealth reimbursement framework in Medicare, which had previously limited coverage primarily to beneficiaries in rural areas or specific types of facilities or services. While some flexibilities have been made permanent, others remain temporary and at risk of expiration without Congressional action.
Challenges Faced by Providers
Providers have encountered significant challenges over the past year as extensions have often come close to expiration and typically last only a few months. Last fall, when lawmakers struggled to agree on a spending plan, the flexibilities lapsed for several weeks due to the government shutdown. Although the federal government reopened in November, new legislation only preserved the policies until January 30. The AMA reported that this lapse considerably reduced access to care, with research from Brown University showing a 24% drop in fee-for-service telehealth visits nationally during the first 17 days of the shutdown compared to the previous months.
Call to Action from the AMA
Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, President of the AMA, stated, “Since the COVID-19 public health emergency, Congress has repeatedly extended telehealth flexibilities for Medicare patients—often at the last moment—creating uncertainty for millions of patients and their physicians.” He urged Congress to act decisively as the current waiver deadline approaches to prevent a sudden halt to expanded telehealth services that have enhanced care continuity, chronic disease management, and access for rural and underserved communities.
Recent Developments in Telehealth Regulations
The impending deadline for telehealth policies follows a recent extension by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which continued flexibilities allowing providers to prescribe certain controlled substances via telehealth without prior in-person appointments. This extension was announced just a day before the previous regulations were set to expire.