AAPM&R is advocating for expanded telehealth innovations and enhanced ways for physiatrists to advance patient care.
During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE), physiatrists have relied on several key flexibilities such as the elimination of geographic restrictions based on patient location, payment parity for telehealth services and coverage of audio-only services when providing necessary telehealth services to patients. Employers and health plans have also been able to provide pre-deductible coverage of telehealth services for individuals with High-Deductible Health Plans with Health Savings Accounts (HDHP-HSA). Your Academy has taken an active role in advocating for Congress to keep these widely supported telehealth waivers in place. In response to our advocacy efforts, a two-year extension of Medicare and commercial market telehealth flexibilities was packaged in the $1.7 trillion omnibus spending bill signed into law on December 23, 2022. AAPM&R continues to advocate for permanent telehealth reform and comprehensive coverage. We recognize the two-year extension as being a positive first step in this direction!
On June 17, AAPM&R completed our second virtual Day on Capitol Hill reaching more than 50 offices. One advocacy priority included expanding telehealth access after the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) to increase access to rehabilitation services. Here is our one-page letter on removing barriers to patient-centered care. AAPM&R has also participated in various sign on and comment letters, supporting coverage of telehealth during the public health emergency and beyond, including:
- September 13, 2022: Letter to Senate Urging Action on Telehealth Legislation
- May 31, 2022: Letter to Congressional Appropriators to Increase Funding for Telehealth Resource Centers (TRCs)
- April 2, 2022: AAPM&R Supports Principles for Telehealth Payment Parity
- January 31, 2022: Letter to Congress Urging Action on Telehealth to Create Permanent, Comprehensive Telehealth Reform
- January 14, 2022: Letter to Congress Requesting to Reinstate Virtual Care Access for Individuals with HDHP-HSAs
- October 28, 2021: Letter to Governors on Recent or Impending Expiration of Licensure Flexibilities for Care Across State Lines
- September 13, 2021: 2022 MPFS Proposed Rule Comment Letter
- March 5, 2021: Letter to President Biden Regarding PM&R Priorities During COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
- October 5, 2020: 2021 MPFS Proposed Rule Comment Letter
- July 15, 2020: Letter to CMS Documenting Role of Telemedicine During the Public Health Emergency
- April 13, 2020: Letter to AHIP Requesting Expansion of Telemedicine Services
- April 13, 2020: Letter to BCBS Requesting Expansion of Telemedicine Services
- April 13, 2020: Letter to CMS Requesting Payment Parity for Audio-Only E/M Visits
Alliance for Connected Care
To advance our advocacy strategies in telehealth, The Academy has joined more than 30 patient and provider groups as a member of the Alliance for Connected Care Advisory Board. The Alliance has several key advocacy priorities that align with AAPM&R including expanding access to telehealth services by removing geographic and site limitations and ensuring appropriate reimbursement of providers for the delivery of telehealth. The Alliance has made many resources available to help keep us up to date on the current federal and state telehealth regulations: