Medicare Telehealth Services Face Uncertain Future Amid Legislative Stalemate
Healthcare Brew
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Contributed by: Kate Gamble
Summary
As Congress deliberates on the extension of Medicare coverage for home telehealth services, the future of telehealth remains precarious, especially for Medicare beneficiaries who may lose access to remote care. The temporary expansions established during the Covid-19 pandemic have provided crucial support for both providers and patients, yet recent legislative efforts to secure these benefits on a permanent basis have stalled. If the provisions expire on October 1, many Medicare patients would be required to attend telehealth appointments at healthcare facilities, significantly hindering access and creating operational challenges for providers. This situation underscores the urgent need for legislative action to clarify the framework for telehealth services in the evolving healthcare landscape.
