TAFA Applauds CMS Telehealth Waiver Extension, Urges Permanent Action
Congress Must Safeguard Virtual Care Access Long After 2024
Washington, D.C – Telehealth Access for America (TAFA) issued the following statement in response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) proposed 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule released yesterday.
“We applaud CMS for recognizing the importance of telehealth by extending telehealth waivers through the end of 2024, as outlined in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023,” said TAFA spokesperson Julia Mirich. “Nearly 53 million Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries utilized telehealth in 2020 – a 63x increase from 2019. Seniors and patients nationwide continue to rely on virtual care access and the benefits it provides, such as lower costs and increased access and equity.”
“This is a welcomed and expected step, but patients are still counting on Congress to permanently protect access to telehealth after 2024 to avoid a potential telehealth cliff. Lawmakers must urgently act to safeguard access to virtual care,” concluded Mirich.
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.