{"id":40279,"date":"2022-06-07T12:06:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-07T16:06:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mtelehealth.com\/?p=40279"},"modified":"2022-06-07T12:06:00","modified_gmt":"2022-06-07T16:06:00","slug":"amas-advocacy-efforts-push-for-permanent-telehealth-advancements","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drmiltie.com\/at-home-testing\/amas-advocacy-efforts-push-for-permanent-telehealth-advancements\/","title":{"rendered":"AMA’s advocacy efforts push for permanent telehealth advancements"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n

COVID-19 has led to dramatic increases in adoption of telehealth by both physicians and patients. Policymakers should seize the opportunity to make permanent policy that supports many of these advancements beyond the pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why telehealth is important<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the March 15, 2022, episode of Moving Medicine<\/a>, AMA Chief Experience Officer Todd Unger discusses the importance of protecting the future of telehealth with Jason Marino, AMA director of Congressional Affairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Early on in the COVID-19 pandemic, with strong support of the AMA, the restrictions on coverage for telehealth services were lifted by Medicare and other health plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, many of the telehealth flexibilities that have greatly improved patient access to care throughout the pandemic are set to expire five months after the end of the national public health emergency. In a survey<\/a> (PDF) conducted by the AMA on telehealth usage, nearly 70% of physician respondents reported an interest in continuing to provide telehealth services. However, much of this continued use and expansion of services will not be possible with a return to the previous lack of insurance coverage and payer reimbursement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Achieving permanent Medicare coverage of telehealth services for patients, including allowing them to continue receiving these services in their homes, is important for patient access to care. The AMA is working to ensure<\/a> (PDF) physicians have the tools, resources and support to seamlessly integrate telehealth into their practices without financial risk or penalty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Federal work on telehealth policy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Prior to March 2020, the Medicare program only paid for telehealth services in very limited circumstances:<\/p>\n\n\n\n