Experts: Congress Must Build on Telehealth Executive Order

Recent events indicate the telehealth boom caused by the COVID-19 pandemic will result in a permanent expansion of virtual care. On Aug. 3, the Trump administration issued an executive order directing HHS to make permanent some of the telehealth regulations it relaxed for Medicare beneficiaries during the public health emergency. Plus, a newly unveiled deal would marry two major telehealth players. However, experts say Congress must act to make expanded telehealth offerings permanent and sustainable, which is unlikely to happen until after the election.

The executive order directs officials to issue proposed regulations that will lock in some of the changes in telehealth policy that the Trump administration included as part of pandemic relief. In response to the order, CMS on Aug. 3 proposed a rule that would permanently allow Medicare to reimburse for certain services that are furnished virtually, “including home visits for the evaluation and management of a patient (in the case where the law allows telehealth services in the patient’s home), and certain types of visits for patients with cognitive impairments.”

0 Comments
© 2023 MMIT
Peter Johnson

Peter Johnson

Peter has been a reporter for nearly a decade. Before joining AIS Health, Peter covered a wide variety of topics in his hometown of Seattle, where he continues to live. Peter’s work has appeared in publications including The Atlantic and The Stranger. Peter attended Colby College.

Related Posts

tech-illustration
December 1

Amid Hype, Experts Debate AI’s Impact on Health Insurance

READ MORE
unitedhealth-phone
December 1

UnitedHealth Investor Day: Firm Confronts MA Pressures, Touts Innovation

READ MORE
cigna-image
December 1

The Next Big Deal? Rumored Cigna-Humana Talks Raise PBM Overlap Question

READ MORE

GAIN THERAPEUTIC AREA-SPECIFIC INTEL TO DRIVE ACCESS FOR YOUR BRAND

Sign up for publications to get unmatched business intelligence delivered to your inbox.

subscribe today