ATA Action and 350 stakeholders are urging Congress to extend telehealth flexibilities in Medicare beyond the end of the current extension on Sept. 30.
ATA Action, the advocacy arm of the American Telemedicine Association, sent a letter dated Aug. 11 to congressional leadership signed by more than 350 stakeholder organizations, including hospitals, health systems and other providers.
The letter urges both the House and Senate to make Medicare telehealth flexibilities permanent, or to approve the longest possible extension. This includes congressional action for virtual flexibilities in the Acute Hospital Care at Home Program.
"We have only 48 days to avert a telehealth shutdown on October 1, and we’re relying on continued bipartisan, bicameral support to win the day,” said Kyle Zebley, executive director, ATA Action and senior vice president, public policy at the ATA.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Telehealth was extended beyond its restricted use in rural healthcare during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). These flexibilities were extended past the end of the PHE in May 2023.
The telehealth flexibilities also allowed for acute hospital care at home, a program hospitals have been keen to continue.
“For Medicare beneficiaries and patients requiring hospital-level care beyond traditional inpatient settings via remote monitoring and necessary interventions, access to telehealth services is a lifeline,” Zebley said.
At a minimum, ATA Action and stakeholders are looking for a two-year extension.
THE LARGER TREND
The reconciliation package passed in July made access to telehealth services permanent in the commercial market, according to Zebley.
The letter urges the same for Medicare beneficiaries.
The stakeholder letter was sent to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Speaker Mike Johnson and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Email the writer: SMorse@himss.org