Allergy & Asthma Network joined with more than 400 organizations in a letter to Congress to advance permanent telehealth reform for people who use Medicare.
Legislation passed by Congress during the COVID-19 public health emergency enabled our nation’s healthcare system to invest in and expand telehealth services. As a result, telehealth has not only met patient demand but also emerged as an important tool in addressing unmet medical needs and health disparities.
However, if Congress does not act before the end of the public health emergency, Medicare beneficiaries could lose access to virtual care options. (The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced a 90-day extension of the public health emergency on July 20, extending it to October 20, 2021.)
Medicare serves more than 60 million Americans ages 65 or older and children with disabilities.
Allergy & Asthma Network is urging Congress to:
- Remove restrictions on where a patient must be located in order to use telehealth services.
- Ensure federally qualified health centers, critical access hospitals and rural health centers can furnish telehealth services.
- Authorize the Secretary to allow additional telehealth practitioners, services and modalities.
- Remove restrictions on telemental health services.
Contact your representatives in Congress and urge them to pass legislation to ensure Medicare beneficiaries continue to have access to medical care delivered via telehealth.
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