Telehealth and At-Home Care Provisions Extended in Year-End Continuing Resolution
Agreement Reached on Stopgap Legislation
After months of negotiations, Congress has reached an agreement on a year-end continuing resolution that includes extensions to several policies related to telehealth and at-home care. The stopgap legislation, which is expected to be voted on this week, contains numerous Medicare and Medicaid provisions that have been long sought after by healthcare and health IT organizations.
Key Provisions
The continuing resolution includes the following key provisions related to telehealth and remote patient monitoring:
- A two-year extension of Medicare telehealth flexibilities
- A five-year extension of the Acute Hospital Care at Home program
- A two-year extension allowing first-dollar coverage of telehealth for high-deductible health plans
- Provisions for cardiopulmonary rehab services to be performed via telehealth at Medicare beneficiaries’ homes for the next two years
- A five-year extension allowing virtual participation in the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program
- Provisions for the SPEAK Act, which requires HHS to develop best practices for improving telehealth services for non-English speakers
Industry Reactions
Healthcare industry groups are welcoming the proposed legislation, with the American Telemedicine Association (ATA) hailing the "big wins" for virtual care in the bill. "The extensions in this proposed legislation are very meaningful for countless Americans and would give our healthcare providers and hospital systems some certainty and the confidence needed to continue to invest in needed telehealth services," said Kyle Zebley, executive director of ATA Action.
Conclusion
The proposed continuing resolution is a significant step forward for the advancement of telehealth and at-home care. The extensions to these important programs will provide much-needed certainty for healthcare providers and organizations, allowing them to continue to invest in and expand their telehealth services.
FAQs
Q: What is the purpose of the continuing resolution?
A: The continuing resolution is a stopgap measure that extends various policies related to telehealth and at-home care.
Q: What are the key provisions of the continuing resolution?
A: The continuing resolution includes extensions to Medicare telehealth flexibilities, the Acute Hospital Care at Home program, first-dollar coverage of telehealth for high-deductible health plans, and more.
Q: What is the reaction of healthcare industry groups to the proposed legislation?
A: The American Telemedicine Association, American Hospital Association, and America’s Essential Hospitals have all welcomed the proposed legislation, hailing it as a significant step forward for telehealth and at-home care.
Q: What is the next step for the continuing resolution?
A: The proposed legislation is expected to be voted on by Congress this week, with a potential signing by President Biden afterwards.
