TL/DR –
The use of telehealth services has significantly increased during the pandemic, with over 85% of physicians using the service in 2021 compared to just 15% two years earlier. Despite extensions of telehealth access rules by both Presidents Trump and Biden, many of the current provisions are set to expire in less than four months, with permanent legislation needed to allow for investment in necessary infrastructure. Efforts have been made to introduce bills to expand telehealth services, including the CONNECT for Health Act, which would make many temporary provisions permanent, but these have not progressed through Congress.
A Shift to Telehealth: The Future of Medicine?
When the pandemic hit, many individuals like Hendrick were thrown into a state of confusion regarding medical care. However, telehealth services became a beacon of hope. Hendrick sought help from MedStar Health, a nearby healthcare provider, and started to meet with a physician online. This enabled her to receive a prescription for pulmonary cardiac rehab treatment and speech pathology services to help manage her symptoms.
This shift to online consultations echoes the experiences of millions of Americans during the pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that over 85% of physicians used telehealth services to treat patients in 2021, a significant increase from 15% two years prior.
Telehealth Legislation and Future Uncertainties
Despite the surge in telehealth, many of the legislative expansions to access are set to expire soon. Without permanent legislation, the medical community faces difficulties making necessary investments in IT and other infrastructure to deliver at-home care. Advocates and healthcare professionals continue to push for the permanent federal recognition of these provisions.
Medicare telehealth usage has reduced since 2020 but remains significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels, according to Kaiser Family Foundation data. But while lawmakers have introduced bills to extend telehealth services, most have not progressed through Congress.
A sweeping bipartisan CONNECT for Health Act was introduced, proposing to make many temporary provisions permanent, remove geographic limitations, and broaden the range of authorized medical professionals. Despite its introduction in recent years, the bill has yet to pass.
Impact on the Medical Industry and Patients
Experts express concern that the temporary nature of these extensions is detrimental to the healthcare industry and patients. They also emphasize that while many state governments have implemented new telehealth rules to increase patient options, federal policy lags behind. For example, Florida, Oregon, and all US territories now offer telehealth services for Medicaid-covered individuals, while the federal government’s stance remains uncertain.
Despite political differences, lawmakers overwhelmingly support telehealth, acknowledging its potential to provide convenient, quality care, especially in rural areas with fewer medical resources. But without permanent legislation, the healthcare community cannot make the necessary investments in telehealth infrastructure.
The Need for Permanent Legislation
Despite the looming expiration of telehealth provisions, experts like Zebley and Booker remain hopeful for a permanent solution. Senator Mark Warner, a sponsor of the CONNECT for Health Act, believes the bill should pass without delay to increase accessibility to high-quality care. Yet so far, the bill hasn’t moved since being referred to the Senate Finance Committee.
Booker emphasizes the need for laws supporting telehealth to realize its full potential in standard medical care across the country. For patients like Hendrick and many others, telehealth is the norm, and they believe it should be made a permanent fixture in healthcare.
—
Read More Health & Wellness News ; US News