From July 28, 2022 post.
This week, Rep. Cindy Axne (IA-03) joined her colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to pass bipartisan legislation to ensure expanded telehealth coverage will continue to be available to all Medicare beneficiaries regardless of where they live.
The Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act of 2022 continues Medicare’s expanded coverage of telehealth services through December 31, 2024 or the end of the public health emergency, whichever is later, similar to efforts Rep. Axne has led.
“I’ve been talking about the benefits of telehealth since before the pandemic started, and I’ve seen firsthand just how quickly patients and providers have embraced telehealth as a new option to receive and deliver high-quality health care,” said Rep. Axne. “Telehealth options save Iowans time and money, support Iowans who may lack regular access to transportation, and allow health care providers to meet Iowans where they are. This helps ensure Iowans are receiving the critical care they need. I’m proud to give my support to these bipartisan efforts and will continue my work to make telehealth services permanent for Iowans.”
This bill will continue key flexibilities that:
- Allow Medicare beneficiaries to receive telehealth services from any location, including their homes;
- Expand Medicare coverage of telehealth services for all Medicare beneficiaries, instead of only those in rural areas;
- Allow for more types of providers, including physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurse-midwives, practicing in Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics to provide telehealth under Medicare;
- Allow Medicare beneficiaries to receive audio-only services, instead of only telehealth services with an audio and visual component;
- Delay in-person requirements for mental health services to be provided through telehealth; and
- Allow hospice providers to conduct required face-to-face appointments for recertification of hospice care eligibility via telehealth.
Rep. Axne also introduced the Knowing the Efficiency and Efficacy of Permanent (KEEP) Telehealth Options Act of 2021, which aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of telehealth and support the continuation and improvement of telemedicine by documenting its uses during the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency.
Original source can be found here
