The AAMC joined 450 organizations in a Nov. 4 letter urging congressional leadership to act swiftly to restore and make permanent expanded Medicare telehealth access (PDF), following the recent expiration of COVID-era flexibilities. The letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) called for immediate passage of a long-term telehealth fix to provide stability for patients, providers, and the broader health care system. The letter noted that the abrupt end of telehealth coverage has disrupted care for more than four million Medicare beneficiaries and created financial strain for nearly one-third of health care providers who had integrated telehealth into their services. The letter also urged the leaders to reinstate telehealth access retroactively and direct the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to reimburse practitioners who continued providing care during the lapse in coverage. The telehealth waivers expired when Congress failed to extend them by Sept. 30 [refer to Washington Highlights, Oct. 3].
- Washington Highlights