On August 3, President Trump issued an Executive Order directing HHS to continue its expanded coverage of telehealth services. Telehealth has become increasingly common during the COVID-19 public health emergency, as Medicare has temporarily expanded its coverage of telehealth services. The Executive Order directs HHS to: (1) extend parts of Medicare’s expanded coverage of telehealth beyond the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency; (2) propose a value-based payment model to improve rural healthcare; (3) work to improve rural health by increasing access to care; and (4) work with the FCC and the USDA to promote rural access to telehealth via broadband.
Congress must sign off on any broader expansion of telehealth coverage, including augmenting the types of providers who may bill Medicare for telehealth services and amending the originating and distant site requirements. Providers should closely monitor the progress of federal and state telehealth regulations and evaluate how to take advantage of expanded coverage for telehealth during the COVID-19 public health emergency and going forward.