Congress Must Provide Longer-Term Certainty on Critical Telehealth Flexibilities After Missed Opportunity

More than six million seniors face a telehealth cliff at the end of March without urgent action by Congress to safeguard virtual care. Telehealth services have demonstrated stable utilization in recent years. At the end of 2024, lawmakers included a three-month extension of current Medicare telehealth flexibilities in the end-of-year spending package. While this extension was welcomed, patients and providers now face a new deadline of March 31, 2025, before telehealth flexibilities are set to expire yet again.

As the deadline approached in December, TAFA issued a letter signed by 18 organizations urging Congressional action to avert a telehealth cliff. The signatories represent diverse patient and consumer communities that advocate on behalf of millions of patients who rely on telehealth. The letter notes, “It is in the best interest of patients and providers nationwide that Congress extend telehealth flexibilities for as long as possible as they work toward ensuring telehealth becomes a permanent piece of the health care puzzle – or risk millions of patients losing access to the care they rely on.”

Providers and patient advocates remain dedicated in search of longer-term telehealth protections, saying: 

“Extending telehealth flexibilities is essential for ensuring older Americans can access the care they need, when and where they need it. For many, especially anyone with mobility challenges or living in rural areas, telehealth offers a lifeline to connect with doctors and specialists. At AARP, we’re committed to advocating for solutions that remove barriers to care and improve health outcomes for all older Americans.” – Megan O’Reilly, Vice President of Government Affairs, AARP

“Many of the nearly 60 million adults impacted by arthritis utilize telehealth to receive quality care, increased access to specialists, and to remove traditional barriers to care, such as distance or difficulties getting to appointments. Unfortunately, telehealth flexibilities are once again set to expire soon, leaving significant uncertainty surrounding access to this critical care. Telehealth makes life with arthritis far more manageable, especially for seniors. We cannot afford to let a telehealth cliff occur, and Congress must alleviate telehealth uncertainty by passing long-term legislation.” – Charles Husser, Federal Affairs Manager, Department of Advocacy and Access, Arthritis Foundation

“Growing evidence highlights the critical benefits of telehealth for patients across the country, including those working to recover from eating disorders. As telehealth continues to prove its effectiveness as a vital healthcare delivery model, it’s imperative for lawmakers to take action to ensure these services are safeguarded. Patients should have consistent access to virtual care without fear of losing it, and providers need assurance that the services they offer—whether in-person or virtual—will remain protected.” – Christine Peat, Board President, Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy, & Action (EDC)

Learn more about how Congress can act to protect telehealth 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.