The President’s Budget, released in late March, documents that the Administration is committed to supporting a temporary extension of broader telehealth coverage under Medicare beyond the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) to study its ability to promote proper use and access to care. The budget requests $45 million for telehealth, which is a $9 million increase over FY 2022 enacted levels.
On March 15, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, which included extending Medicare Telehealth Flexibilities for 151 days following the end of the PHE. Given that the PHE is expected to end in July, this will likely put us at the end of December. Your Academy previously joined more than 330 organizations in submitting a letter to Congress urging their leadership to keep telehealth waivers in place through the end of 2024 and then pass permanent, evidence-based telehealth legislation for implementation in 2024. Through investments and extension flexibilities, we expect telehealth will be a priority for Congress and Administration in 2023.
AAPM&R continues to monitor opportunities that push for permanent telehealth reform and comprehensive coverage. Please visit the Academy website for additional information about our telehealth advocacy efforts, including our recent support for payment parity.