During the Covid-19 pandemic, Congress opened up telehealth coverage in Medicare and millions of older adults and people with disabilities have taken advantage ever since. Telehealth allows them to get medical attention without the burden of leaving home. But, with the pandemic behind us, the Medicare telehealth coverage provisions are set to expire at the end of this year. Emily Olson reports for HealthcareDive on a House Ways and Means Committee bill that would extend telehealth coverage in Medicare through 2026.
As of now, the House Committee bill to extend telehealth coverage another year has unanimous bipartisan support. They have until the end of this year to get it through Congress.
If passed, the bill would lift all geographic restrictions on telehealth services. (For a time, telehealth was available only to rural residents.) The bill would also allow more health care providers to offer health care services through the internet and phone. The entire House of Representatives will vote on the bill shortly.
While there is widespread support for telehealth, there is some concern about it as well. Does it allow for appropriate treatment? How does it affect the most vulnerable people with Medicare? And what are the risks of fraud and abuse?
For sure, Medicare’s coverage of telehealth services improves access to care for many people, particularly people in rural communities. It also makes it easier for people to get mental health services.
The Preserving Telehealth, Hospital, and Ambulance Access Act, as written, covers Medicare telehealth services by FQHC’s, federally qualified health centers, as well as rural health clinics. It also allows most hospice agencies to use telehealth for recertification purposes as an alternative to face-to-face requirements.
Of note, telehealth does not come for free. But, bill sponsors believe that its costs will be covered by new money-saving prescription drug requirements.
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