“Concerns arise as Medicare telehealth expansion nears expiration”
The extension of Medicare telehealth coverage during the Covid-19 pandemic was a lifesaver for Kaye Peterson, 67, who resides in an assisted living facility with Type 1 diabetes. Due to not driving, she relies on family members to take her to in-person appointments with specialists located an hour away from her residence in Lebanon, Kentucky. However, for routine primary care, she simply uses her iPhone. The future of this convenient service is uncertain as Medicare telehealth flexibilities, established during the pandemic, are set to expire on March 31. Recent social media posts have sparked outcry among beneficiaries like Peterson, who find this service invaluable.
Peterson mentioned, “I’m in a care facility filled with individuals in wheelchairs and using oxygen. Extending this service is just common sense.” Health advocates stress the importance of telehealth options for older adults who are homebound or reside in rural areas far from medical facilities. These flexibilities were initiated when Congress waived restrictions in March 2020 under President Donald Trump, and they were extended multiple times under President Joe Biden.
Without action from Congress, the previous rules will be reinstated on April 1, meaning most telehealth appointments will only be covered if provided in person at rural medical facilities. While there will be exceptions for certain services like mental health care and some home dialysis treatments, the potential lapse could impact millions of Medicare beneficiaries. Approximately 13% of the nearly 22 million individuals with traditional coverage utilized telehealth services between October and December 2023.
Dr. Cecil Bennett, a family medicine physician in Newnan, Georgia, estimates that half of his clinic’s patients are on Medicare. He fears that seniors may miss necessary appointments if in-person visits are required, leading to worsened conditions. Dr. Saurabh Chandra, chief telehealth officer at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, highlights the importance of these flexibilities in providing timely care to older adults, especially during emergencies.
Advocates remain hopeful that telehealth services offered via Medicare will continue to be a bipartisan priority amid Congressional debates. Kyle Zebley, senior vice president for public policy at the American Telemedicine Association, emphasized the importance of maintaining bipartisan support in a divisive political climate.
While the future of Medicare telehealth remains uncertain due to political factors, advocates are committed to ensuring continuous access to these critical services for older adults in need.
In order to avert a government shutdown prompted by the push from President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk to quash a more comprehensive spending bill, certain members of Congress are aiming to address the concerns of older adults and establish the flexibilities as a permanent fixture. Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester, a Democrat from Delaware, highlighted the importance of these flexibilities, characterizing them as “vital,” particularly for individuals in underserved and rural areas, as well as those facing accessibility or transportation challenges. Having co-introduced a bipartisan bill during her tenure in the House to cement these provisions, she emphasized her ongoing efforts to secure permanent protections for them. Meanwhile, Rep. Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, who drew attention to the impending deadline through his viral social media posts, announced his intention to introduce legislation with similar aims. In a post on X, Khanna questioned the rationale behind potentially complicating the lives of many seniors through these actions. Amid the uncertainty surrounding the future of telehealth, Bennett, a concerned individual, is anxiously awaiting confirmation on whether the appointments he has scheduled can move forward as planned. Expressing his desire for swift action from Congress, Bennett emphasized his acceptance of temporary extensions as long as progress is being made on the issue.
