ICYMI: New Report Underscores Benefits of, Need for Long-Term Telehealth Protections

The New York Health Foundation and Manatt Recommend Making Virtual Care Flexibilities Permanent.

In case you missed it, the New York Health Foundation partnered with Manatt Health, the healthcare consulting arm of the New York-based legal and consulting firm, to release a new report urging policymakers to implement permanent telehealth protections.

The report, entitled “Ensuring Long-Term Equitable Access to Telehealth in New York State,” analyzes telehealth utilization following the COVID-19 pandemic and the policy landscape in New York state and nationwide. 

“As demonstrated by widespread adoption in recent years, telehealth offers a convenient, efficient, and safe means of accessing health care services,” researchers note in the report. “By continuing to support and expand telehealth infrastructure through the recommendations offered in this report, policymakers can address the needs of individuals who face barriers to care, address workforce shortages, and promote health care accessibility for all New Yorkers.”

The report recommends making several pandemic-era Medicare telehealth flexibilities permanent, such as continuing the increased number of telehealth services covered under Medicare and “Coverage and reimbursement for audio-only services.”

“Embracing telehealth as a permanent fixture in the state’s health care landscape not only enhances flexibility for patients but strengthens the overall resilience of the health care system in the face of future challenges,” the report concludes. 

Research and policy recommendations continue to show the importance of expanded telehealth access. This latest report bolsters similar and recent findings from the Bipartisan Policy Center which shed light on congressional delays to extend telehealth flexibilities. BPC proposed several policy recommendations for Congress which coincide with the latest report on New York State. Health care experts, advocacy groups, and patients across the board continue to stress the importance of urgent congressional action to protect telehealth. Telehealth Access for America continues to call on Congress to heed these recommendations and protect virtual care for millions of patients who rely on it for as long as possible and without unnecessary restrictions. 

Read Manatt and the New York Health Foundation’s full report about ensuring long-term telehealth access HERE.

Read Healthcare Innovation’s coverage of the report HERE.

Learn more about how Congress can act to permanently protect telehealth access 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 and take action today at www.telehealthaccessforamerica.org.