“Many provider groups are clamoring for Congress and federal regulators to permanently expand coverage for telehealth visits once the COVID-19 public health emergency ends.”
“President Joe Biden’s top health official signaled that the administration supports broadening the use of virtual care in the long term.”
“‘We are absolutely supportive of efforts to give us the authority to utilize telehealth in greater ways,’ said Xavier Becerra, Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) during an interview with The Washington Post.”
“‘We want to make sure that we don’t leave anybody behind and that telehealth is available to all Americans, universally, and that includes making sure quality broadband is out there for all communities, whether a rural part of the country or an inner-city poor area,’ Becerra said.”
“Telehealth use spiked during the pandemic after the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) gave more flexibility for providers to get reimbursed by Medicare for such services. These changes, along with expanded coverage from commercial insurers, helped to open up access to healthcare services, telehealth advocates say.”
“CMS has said that it will need Congressional intervention to make some of the flexibilities permanent.”
“According to the Alliance for Connected Care, more than 43 new bills related to telehealth and remote patient monitoring have been introduced over the course of the pandemic.”
“As these bills work their way through Congress, the Biden administration wants to ensure equity and accountability if coverage for virtual care is expanded…” Read the full article here.
Source: Biden administration ‘absolutely supportive’ of efforts to expand virtual care, HHS official says – By Heather Landi, June 28, 2021. Fierce Healthcare.
