Passage of the historic reconciliation bill last Friday marks a significant step forward for telehealth, as the first temporary COVID-era flexibility to become a permanent provision, and gives commercially insured individuals permanent access to coverage of telehealth services, retroactive to December 31, 2024, when the original, temporary provision expired.
Having reached this milestone, ATA Action continues to advocate for its other top policy priorities: to make telehealth permanent for Medicare beneficiaries and the Acute Hospital Care at Home program, enabling safe remote prescribing of controlled substances, supporting access to Prescription Digital Therapeutics (PDTs), and expanding coverage for Virtual Foodcare, including Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT).
“Telehealth stands out as a bright spot in the final reconciliation package – a policy unicorn – achieving unwavering support from both sides of the isle, in both chambers. We believe this bodes well for the future of other critical telehealth policies requiring Congressional action. “While many of the provisions in final legislation will create challenges for our healthcare system and the Medicare population, inclusion of this permanent telehealth provision clearly demonstrates the relentless bipartisan, bicameral support that telehealth has experienced over the past five years.” Kyle Zebley, executive director, ATA Action and senior vice president, public policy, ATA
Read our full press release here.