Congress must take actions now to ensure that Medicare patients continue to access telehealth post-pandemic. AMA Trustee Jack Resneck, MD said in a statement for the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee’s health subcommittee that efforts should continue to build capacity.
Counselling clinics learn to adjust to telehealth
Many counseling centers had to quickly transition to telehealth this past year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Some found it easier to adjust to this change, but most of them learned invaluable lessons in delivering virtual care.
The 2021 healthcare goal; Making seniors comfortable with telehealth
Telehealth has played a significant role in delivering healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly for older Americans. Due to the numerous restrictions and guidelines enacted to slow down the spread of the coronavirus, virtual care became critical to reaching out to seniors for care.
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.
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.