What is the Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024, and how does it impact my practice?

Telemedicine's most significant impact may be its ability to break down geographical barriers, bringing quality healthcare to remote or underserved areas. This became particularly evident during the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. As Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester noted: "One of the few positive outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic was the rapid progress we made in utilizing telehealth services to meet patients where they are."

Since then, telemedicine has proven its enduring value in democratizing healthcare access and ensuring continuity of care. It eliminates the need for long-distance travel for routine check-ups and follow-ups. This saves time and lightens burdens on both patients and healthcare systems.

Rep. Debbie Dingell emphasized this point. "Telehealth services have become an essential part of our healthcare system. We all know that having to physically travel to a doctor's office can present a serious barrier to care to rural and older Americans, as well as those living with disabilities,” she said.

For chronic disease management, telemedicine has been an important tool. It enables more frequent check-ins and real-time monitoring, allowing healthcare providers to catch potential issues early and adjust treatment plans promptly. This proactive approach can significantly improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

The Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024 will be key in maintaining access to telemedicine services. It should ensure that providers and patients don't face increased hurdles in getting Medicare coverage for these vital virtual visits.

The legislation extends a number of Medicare telehealth flexibilities. Proponents of these extensions say that telemedicine allows patients to access critical care, especially in underserved and often rural communities. Here’s what it does:

Expands providers eligibility. Extends the provisions that expanded the types of health practitioners who were allowed to provide telehealth. Specifically, it extends the waivers that allow occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech language practitioners, and audiologists to provide virtual care to Medicare beneficiaries through the end of 2026. 

Allows for audio-only calls. Allows audio-only calls for Medicare beneficiaries, which enables patients without high-speed internet to access medical expertise from afar. 

Extends waivers. Includes a 2-year extension of COVID-era Medicare telehealth waivers. Otherwise, the waivers are currently set to expire at the end of this year. Waivers exist for various Medicare requirements, like the need to have an in-person visit to secure a prescription for controlled substances, or the need for “three-day prior inpatient hospitalization for Medicare coverage of a skilled nursing facility stay.” 

Increases access. Permanently eliminates geographic restrictions on originating sites for telehealth services. This would allow rural health clinics (RHCs), and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), to receive Medicare reimbursement for virtual care.

Allows for speciality care. Patients recovering from severe cardiac events, among other forms of specialty care, will be eligible to be seen virtually.

If the Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024 passes into law, it will have positive implications for healthcare providers and patients. Providers will be able to confidently incorporate telemedicine into their business strategy and care models, knowing that Medicare reimbursement for these services is secure. Meanwhile, patients will continue to be able to receive the care on which they rely.

Telehealth platforms offer numerous benefits:

Improved access. They provide convenient and secure access to medical expertise, particularly benefiting patients with physical disabilities, those who are immunocompromised, non-English speakers, and residents of underserved areas.

Practice growth. For independent medical practices, telemedicine opens up new avenues for expansion and enhanced patient care.

Patient-centric care. More flexible scheduling allows providers to prevent appointment overruns, while meeting patients where they are and supporting a patient-centered approach.

Cost savings. Both patients and providers can benefit from reduced costs. Practices may see lower overhead expenses, while patients can avoid unnecessary emergency room visits, contributing to a more efficient healthcare system overall.

Expanded eligibility. The legislation would broaden the scope of providers eligible to practice telehealth for Medicare beneficiaries, including physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists.

By addressing reimbursement concerns and expanding eligibility, the Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024 aims to solidify telemedicine's role in the US healthcare system, ensuring its benefits are widely accessible and sustainable.

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Next, the bill is likely to be included as part of a larger spending bill in the House. If it passes, it will move on to the Senate for a vote. Stay up to date and track progress on the bill at Congress.gov.