When asked about the prospects for long-term telehealth coverage, I often hear people say that permanent expansion is inevitable because “the genie is out of the bottle” or “Congress never takes benefits away.” The truth is they can, and they will, unless we effectively break down persistent misconceptions about the impact of telehealth policy changes. […]
Read MoreNEWS CATEGORY: Telehealth
Virtual care becomes a common cause in a divided Congress
Congress appears poised to let millions of Medicare recipients continue to video chat with their doctors after the pandemic is over. A set of telemedicine policies the Trump administration adopted during lockdowns is emerging as an unexpected bipartisan rallying point as lawmakers begin to weigh life after Covid-19. The coverage policies are due to lapse […]
Read MoreWSC Brief: CURES 2.0 Creates New Research Agency, Expands Telehealth
OVERVIEW More than four years after the 21st Century Cures Act was signed into law, Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Fred Upton (R-MI) on Tuesday circulated a discussion draft of their proposed Cures 2.0 legislation, setting the stage for negotiations on the long-awaited legislative package. In addition to proposing new programs and enhancements for the CMS, the 127-page draft bill […]
Read MoreNew Bill Aims To Make Pandemic Telehealth Benefits Permanent
Reps. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) and Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) are introducing legislation today to make it easier for older adults to access telehealth services. The bill, shared first with PULSE, would codify new telehealth flexibilities for Medicare beneficiaries granted during the pandemic. Providers would be allowed to deliver telehealth services to patients in their homes regardless of what part of the country […]
Read MoreLawmakers Are Deciding the Future of Telehealth
During the pandemic, Medicare has been paying for health care delivered virtually for a broader swath of patients. Many view that as a positive development for the future of health care in the United States — but the waivers for telehealth are headed for expiration at the end of the year. Yet there’s a strong […]
Read MoreBrady Doubts Biden’s Telehealth Commitment; Becerra Offers Assurance
House Ways & Means ranking Republican Kevin Brady (TX) suggested President Joe Biden’s fiscal 2022 budget ignores a need to continue telehealth coverage after the COVID-19 public health emergency, but HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra told lawmakers Tuesday (June 8) he does not intend to go backwards on such coverage, although the department could use some […]
Read MoreWSC Brief: Telehealth Developments – December 2020
How Hospitals are Building on COVID-19 Telehealth Momentum
Hospital executives are planning for how they can sustain telehealth momentum from the COVID-19 pandemic and build the practice into their future care delivery strategies. Patient visits conducted via video or phone could account for between 10% to 30% of total visits after the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, according to healthcare executives and analysts. But to […]
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