ICYMI: CMS Telehealth Payment Guidance Delay Underscores Urgent Need for Longer-Term Virtual Care Protections

In case you missed it, delays in Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) guidance regarding payment codes due to the last-minute, short-term Medicare telehealth flexibility extension at the end of 2024 have confused many patients and providers. This delay – and resulting confusion – underscores the urgent need for Congressional action to urgently enact longer-term telehealth protections.

As InsideTelehealth reports, “Medicare administrative contractors are now being forced to decide whether to grant telehealth flexibility in line with the congressional extension, which is at odds with the current CMS fee schedule, and take a risk that telehealth services will be reimbursed once the agency publishes clarifying guidance. Some MACs aren’t willing to take that risk, sources say.”

In response to the delay, TAFA executive director Alye Mlinar said, “The delay in CMS payment guidance showcases the real-life impact of the looming telehealth cliff and the need for lawmakers to provide longer-term telehealth protections as soon as possible and for as long as possible. Patients and providers need certainty.”

Without urgent action from Congress by March 31, 2025, the nearly six million seniors who rely on Medicare telehealth flexibilities could lose access to care. 

Read the full article from InsideTelehealth HERE and learn more about Telehealth Access for America and the need for congressional action to safeguard virtual care HERE. 

ABOUT TELEHEALTH ACCESS FOR AMERICA

Telehealth Access for America (TAFA) is a public education campaign supported by leaders in health care committed to better care, expanded patient choice, and protecting access to critical telehealth services.

Learn more at www.telehealthaccessforamerica.org.