WASHINGTON, D.C., DECEMBER 17, 2024 – The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) and ATA Action cheer the just-announced legislative end-of-year Continuing Resolution (CR) that includes muti-year extensions for critically-needed telehealth flexibilities. This draft will need to be passed by both houses of Congress and signed into law by President Biden.
“This Telehealth Super Bowl is going right down to the wire,” said Kyle Zebley, senior vice president, public policy, the ATA and executive director, ATA Action. “The extensions in this proposed legislation are very meaningful for countless Americans and would give our healthcare providers and hospital systems some certainty and the confidence needed to continue to invest in needed telehealth services.
“This has been years in the making, and we must ensure that these extensions are kept intact as they go to vote in both chambers of Congress and then on to President Biden for signature,” Zebley added. “Big thanks go to our policy champions on both sides of the aisle, who have steadfastly moved the ball down the field, and are on the brink of synching a monumental victory for virtual care, for patients and for our healthcare system. This is shaping up to be a historic week for advancing telehealth and puts us on a path towards a modernized healthcare system.”
The Continuing Resolution put forward today includes the following telehealth-related provisions:
- 2-year extension of Medicare telehealth flexibilities
- 2-year extension of first dollar coverage of High Deductible Health Plans-Health Savings Accounts (HDHP-HSA) tax provision
- 5-year extension of Acute Hospital Care at Home program
- Allows cardiopulmonary rehabilitation services to be furnished via telehealth at a beneficiary’s home under Medicare in 2025 and 2026
- 5-year extension of the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) Expanded Model through 2030 and allows beneficiaries to participate virtually and in-person
- Enacts the SPEAK Act which facilitates guidance and access to best practices on providing telehealth services accessibly
About the ATA
As the only organization completely focused on advancing telehealth, the American Telemedicine Association is committed to ensuring that everyone has access to safe, affordable, and appropriate care when and where they need it, enabling the system to do more good for more people. The ATA represents a broad and inclusive member network of leading healthcare delivery systems, academic institutions, technology solution providers and payers, as well as partner organizations and alliances, working to advance industry adoption of telehealth, promote responsible policy, advocate for government and market normalization, and provide education and resources to help integrate virtual care into emerging value-based delivery models.
About ATA Action
ATA Action recognizes that telehealth and virtual care have the potential to transform the healthcare delivery system by improving patient outcomes, enhancing the safety and effectiveness of care, addressing health disparities, and reducing costs. ATA Action is a registered 501c6 entity and an affiliated trade organization of the American Telemedicine Association (ATA).