After failing to make it through Congress in the last year, The Protecting Access to Post-COVID-19 Telehealth Act is being re-introduced. The lawmakers should see enough value in telehealth for making it a priority this year. The new administration has taken on in Washington and some lawmakers are trying to re-emphasize the passing of long-term telehealth legislation.
CMS aims at permanently expanding telehealth services
The Trump administration chose to add more than 60 telehealth services that will be reimbursable during the public health emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. These changes to telehealth coverage will be permitted permanently in rural areas.
Policy changes facilitating access to virtual care should remain permanent
Telehealth regulations have been relaxed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, triggering interest and support for virtual care owing to its benefits like convenience and safety.
Another less spoken advantage of telemedicine is the availability of specialists for patients especially suffering from chronic diseases like cancer.
Congress members aim to address the telehealth’s digital divide
Even though COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the potential of telemedicine to expand access to care, it also highlighted existing disparities in the system, noted the Congress members, Access to broadband is an issue, as pointed out by many telehealth advocates.
New coalition plans to apply mHealth to tackle healthcare disparities
A new coalition aims to utilize and focus on consumer-facing mHealth and telehealth tools to mitigate health disparities. Guided by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) and Connected Health Initiative (CHI), the Health Equity and Access Leadership (HEAL) coalition brings together different organizations and companies in the digital health space.