Telehealth Changes Affect Medicare Patients Nationwide
Healthcare systems across the nation, including NYU Langone Health, have begun alerting patients about significant changes to their telehealth services. These adjustments follow the expiration of Medicare's pandemic-era telehealth waivers on October 1, 2023, and the ongoing federal government shutdown.
The waivers, initially implemented to facilitate remote care during the pandemic, allowed patients to receive non-behavioral or mental health care from the comfort of their homes. However, with their expiration, many healthcare providers have had to pause or modify their telehealth services. For instance, the St. Elizabeth Regional Diabetes Center in Kentucky has temporarily halted telehealth appointments for Medicare patients.
The American Medical Association (AMA) has swiftly responded to these developments, demanding the reinstatement of Medicare telehealth functions and the recognition of reimbursement for services already provided. The ATA Action has also urged Congress to restore these crucial telehealth flexibilities. Meanwhile, the Department of Health and Human Services has attributed these changes to the Senate Democrats' role in the government shutdown.
Patients with canceled telehealth appointments may receive bills due to the government shutdown, and new telehealth appointments for Medicare and Medicaid patients are currently unavailable. Healthcare providers and advocacy groups alike are calling for the reinstatement of these vital telehealth services to ensure continued access to care for patients across the country.
