Telehealth Flexibilities Face Uncertainty as Biden Administration Comes to a Close
Why it Matters
Making primary care, behavioral health, and other care services available by telehealth during the pandemic has changed the way providers practice across the world. But without regulatory changes soon, flexibilities will run out in the U.S. that would result in Medicare and many private insurance patients losing access to virtual care services they’ve come to rely on.
ATA Urges Congressional Action
The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) is once again urging Congressional leaders to officially extend telehealth flexibilities before the close of 2024. Kyle Zebley, senior vice president of public policy, the ATA and executive director of ATA Action, said, "It is our sincere hope that Congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle act swiftly to advance a bill extending telehealth flexibilities and get it to President Biden’s desk for signature before year-end."
The Larger Trend
The ATA and ATA Action previously noted that, without Congressional action before January 1, 2025, regulations governing providers’ use of telehealth will be greatly scaled back as broader access to telehealth services under the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023 will end. In August, the groups sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid that asked for an extension or legislative change to make telehealth allowances in the 2025 Physician Fee Schedule permanent.
The Future of Telehealth
While CMS has limited authority to preserve telehealth flexibilities, it did finalize new Advanced Primary Care Management codes for 2025, a step some payer industry leaders could lead to hybrid primary care payment under Medicare. Medical groups, however, protest annual payment cuts for physicians. Additional issues, like expanded licensure flexibilities that allow providers to treat patients in other states and a registry for the prescribing of controlled substances via telemedicine, are still being worked out on the federal level.
Conclusion
The ATA is committed to working with federal government policymakers to expand virtual care access going forward. With the Biden Administration coming to a close, it is crucial that Congressional leaders act swiftly to extend telehealth flexibilities and ensure that access to needed care continues to be available to all Americans.
FAQs
Q: What will happen if telehealth flexibilities are not extended?
A: If telehealth flexibilities are not extended, Medicare and many private insurance patients will lose access to virtual care services they’ve come to rely on.
Q: Why is it important to extend telehealth flexibilities?
A: Extending telehealth flexibilities will ensure that patients and healthcare providers have certainty that pathways to care provided by telehealth will remain long-term.
Q: What is the ATA’s stance on telehealth?
A: The ATA is committed to working with federal government policymakers to expand virtual care access going forward and ensuring that access to needed care continues to be available to all Americans.
Q: What is the future of telehealth in the post-pandemic era?
A: Other nations, like China, are moving ahead with telehealth in the post-pandemic era, and the ATA is committed to working with policymakers to ensure that the U.S. remains a leader in virtual care.
