As the COVID-19 pandemic continues across the United States, states, payers, and providers are looking for ways to expand access to telehealth services. Telehealth is an essential tool.
Seyfarth Synopsis: The Biden Administration has announced that the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) and COVID-19 National Emergency (NE) will expire May 11, 2023.
The Biden Administration announced its intent to end the COVID 19 public health emergency on May 11, 2023. The PHE has been in place for over 3 years during which time many telehealth and other health care related flexibilities were relied upon by both patients and clinicians.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act relieves employers offering a high deductible health plan option paired with a HSA. Thanks to the CAA 2023, these employers can offer first dollar telehealth benefits without affecting employees’ eligibility to receive HSA contributions.
Providers, health systems and patient groups who want to see telehealth survive beyond the federal public health emergency need to engage their lawmakers and associations now to demonstrate the need and utility for continued telemedicine.