During the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), Congress swiftly enacted telehealth service waivers to allow physicians to care for their patients virtually. Most telehealth waivers are only in effect through the end of the COVID-19 PHE.
The College, and hundreds of other health care groups, sent a letter to Congress encouraging it to continue many of the telehealth flexibilities for patient care after the public health emergency has ended including:
- The removal of location restrictions.
- Expansion of eligible providers.
- Assurance of the continuation of care at federally qualified centers, hospitals and rural clinics.
- The removal of barriers to mental and behavioral health services.
We will continue to advocate for Congress to act on our request encouraging the continuation of the telehealth progress that’s been made. “Without action from Congress, Medicare beneficiaries will abruptly lose access to nearly all recently expanded coverage of telehealth when the COVID-19 PHE ends,” the letter states.
The Advocacy Council – we have you covered!
