Update on Year-End Spending Bill: Telehealth and At-Home Care Provisions
After facing intense pressure from President-elect Donald Trump, along with Elon Musk and others, Republican representatives have dropped their support for the stopgap measure included in the year-end spending bill. The bill’s prospects are now in doubt as a result of this development.
Key Provisions in the Appropriations Bill
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the spending bill, Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill have agreed on a stopgap year-end continuing resolution that includes important extensions for policies related to telehealth and at-home care. The appropriations bill, which is expected to be voted on this week, contains several Medicare and Medicaid provisions that have been long sought-after by healthcare and health IT organizations.
Some of the telehealth and remote patient monitoring provisions included in the CR are:
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- A two-year extension of Medicare telehealth flexibilities
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- A five-year extension of the Acute Hospital Care at Home program
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- A two-year extension allowing first-dollar coverage of telehealth for high deductible health plans
In addition, the bill allows for cardiopulmonary rehab services to be performed via telehealth at Medicare beneficiaries’ homes for the next two years, a five-year extension for virtual participation in the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program, and provisions for the SPEAK Act, which focuses on improving telehealth services for non-English speakers.
Industry Support and Advocacy
Industry groups, including the American Telemedicine Association, have expressed their support for the draft legislation. The ATA praised the “big wins” for virtual care in the bill and highlighted the significance of the proposed extensions for healthcare providers and hospital systems.
Kyle Zebley, executive director of ATA Action, emphasized the importance of maintaining these extensions as the bill moves through Congress and ultimately to President Biden for signature. He described the potential impact of the legislation as a step towards a modernized healthcare system.
Other organizations, such as the American Hospital Association and America’s Essential Hospitals, have also voiced their support for the bill, citing the critical policies it contains, including extensions for telehealth and hospital-at-home programs.
Looking Ahead
As congressional negotiators continue to work on the year-end spending package, stakeholders in the healthcare industry are hopeful that the provisions related to telehealth and at-home care will be preserved. The potential impact of these extensions on access to care and healthcare delivery is significant, and industry leaders are urging Congress to pass the health care package to ensure continued support for hospitals and health systems.
