Telehealth Flexibilities in Medicare Extended for Six More Months
Telehealth flexibilities in Medicare have been extended for another six months, providing a much-needed reprieve for beneficiaries and healthcare providers. The extension comes just weeks before the pandemic-era changes to virtual care policy were set to expire.
The flexibilities, which have significantly expanded telehealth coverage for Medicare beneficiaries, were preserved through September 30 as part of a short-term government funding bill signed by President Donald Trump over the weekend. Telehealth groups have welcomed the move, acknowledging the importance of continued access to virtual care for patients.
However, the short-term nature of the extension creates uncertainty for providers. Julia Mirich, spokesperson for Telehealth Access for America, emphasized the need for a permanent telehealth solution that offers peace of mind for both patients and providers.
The continuing resolution signed into law allows temporary changes to telehealth rules, such as allowing patients to receive telehealth care in their homes and expanding the types of providers who can offer virtual care. These changes were first enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic to address the challenges of delivering care during lockdowns and social distancing measures.
While some pandemic-era flexibilities have been made permanent, others still operate on temporary waivers. The latest extension provides a six-month reprieve for providers, giving them more time to adapt to the evolving telehealth landscape.
The extension also includes the continuation of the CMS’ Acute Hospital Care At Home program, which allows approved Medicare-certified facilities to provide inpatient level care in patients’ homes. This program was initially implemented to increase hospital capacity during COVID surges and has proven to be a valuable tool in delivering care to patients in their own homes.
Despite the positive impact of telehealth flexibilities, some policy changes, such as first-dollar coverage for telehealth on high-deductible health plans, did not make it into the bill and expired at the end of last year. This highlights the need for ongoing advocacy and support for telehealth initiatives to ensure continued access to virtual care for patients.
The uncertainty surrounding telehealth coverage underscores the importance of a long-term telehealth solution that provides stability and clarity for providers and patients. Telehealth has garnered bipartisan support from lawmakers and continues to be a focus for improving healthcare access, particularly in rural areas.
The extension of telehealth flexibilities in Medicare is a positive step towards ensuring continued access to virtual care for beneficiaries. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, telehealth will play an increasingly important role in delivering quality care to patients across the country.
