Pandemic-era telehealth waivers are set to expire. And although continuing those flexibilities may bring additional costs for providers and taxpayers, the benefits are worth the price, researchers argued in a recent study.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, providers were granted much greater leniency in how telehealth could be offered. Temporary changes issued by the Department of Health and Human Services allowed all eligible Medicare providers to provide telehealth care. HHS also eliminated geographic restrictions for virtual care services, meaning beneficiaries could receive care even if their providers were based in another state. Some behavioral and mental health services were granted approval for audio-only visits.
HHS has granted these flexibilities a Dec. 31 expiration date. Re-implementation would take congressional action, researchers noted in a study published by Health Affairs. But given the benefits of virtual care services, it would be a worthwhile investment, they argued.
During the pandemic, telehealth contributed to higher rates of care continuity and medication adherence among beneficiaries, as well as decreased rates of emergency department visits, according to the study. Those benefits were accompanied by a 1.6% increase in Medicare healthcare spending, but lawmakers already have suggested that they may be willing to pay, the researchers said.
“Congress signaled a willingness to incur some costs for the Medicare program to maintain access to services that were provided during the pandemic,” they wrote. “Given the small improvements in access and quality (in particular for chronic disease medications), combined with modest increases in spending along with patients’ and clinicians’ preferences, we believe that it will be difficult to justify a return to restricting telemedicine payment in Medicare.”
Telehealth hearing
Lawmakers’ willingness to reinstate certain telehealth flexibilities within Medicare was made evident in a House Energy & Commerce committee hearing on April 3, where representatives considered 15 legislative proposals related to increasing access to telehealth services. Among these was H.R. 7711, introduced by Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Jack Bergman (R-MI). The law would make permanent all pandemic-era flexibilities set to expire this December.
“Telehealth services have become an essential part of our healthcare system,” Dingell said during the hearing. “It’s eradicating barriers to care, alleviating mobility and transportation challenges, and it makes it easier for Americans to access care in the comfort and safety of their own homes.”
This article originally appeared on McKnights Home Care
