CHIME Pushes for Permanent Telehealth Reform

We have heard a chorus of support from our members related to the success they are experiencing with telehealth throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. This success is only further backed up by the reported widespread use and support by patients.

What some may not realize is that many of the current telehealth flexibilities are temporary and limited to the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), something that must be renewed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) every 90 days. Currently the PHE, if not extended again, is slated to end in April. While we do not anticipate the PHE ending soon, there is still significant uncertainty for patients as well as providers. This uncertainty forces providers to weigh the costs of investing in the infrastructure required to maintain telehealth programs at scale against the possibility that Congress may ultimately decide not to support expanded telehealth coverage after the PHE ends.

For this reason, CHIME, alongside more than 360 other organizations, sent a letter to Congressional leadership earlier this week asking Congress to authorize the continuation of all telehealth waivers through December 31, 2024.

The letter also asks Congress to require HHS to complete all feasible evaluations related to telehealth by fall 2023 and combine findings into a single overarching dashboard. The dashboard would also include recommendations so that Congress can pass permanent, evidence-based telehealth legislation in 2024.

A two-year extension of telehealth waivers would provide the certainty patients and providers need, while providing sufficient time for Congress and the Administration to analyze the impact of telehealth on patient care.

You can find a copy of the letter here.

Thank you to all of our members and Foundation firms who made their voices heard by signing onto the letter. We will continue to work with Congress to ensure that patients and providers will not abruptly lose access to telehealth.