Senior Citizens Rattled by News That Medicare Telehealth Coverage Could Expire Next Month
Medicare Telehealth “Flexibilities” Set to Expire on March 31
For Kaye Peterson, 67, the expansion of Medicare telehealth coverage during Covid-19 was a godsend. Peterson, who has Type 1 diabetes and lives in an assisted living facility, no longer drives and depends on extended family when she needs in-person appointments with specialists who are roughly an hour away from her home in Lebanon, Kentucky. But for routine primary care, she simply uses her iPhone.
Soon that may no longer be possible. On March 31, Medicare telehealth “flexibilities” established during the Covid-19 pandemic are set to expire. Recent social media posts, including the one that alerted Peterson to the change, have prompted an outcry from beneficiaries and their families who rely on the service.
Health Advocates Warn of Devastating Consequences
Health advocates say the telemedicine options now at risk are particularly important for older adults who are homebound or, like Peterson, live in rural communities far from their doctors’ offices.
If Congress doesn’t act, on April 1, the prior rules will largely be restored, which means that most telehealth appointments will only be covered if they’re provided in person at rural medical facilities.
Kaye Peterson, who has Type 1 diabetes, depends on family members to drive her to medical appointments roughly an hour from her home. (Jon Cherry for NBC News)
Exceptions to the Rule
There will be exceptions for certain services, such as mental health care and some visits for home dialysis treatments.
A lapse could have ramifications for millions of Medicare beneficiaries. Roughly 13% of the nearly 22 million people with traditional coverage received a telehealth service between October and December 2023.
Physicians and Telehealth Professionals Weigh In
Dr. Cecil Bennett, a family medicine physician in Newnan, Georgia, outside Atlanta, estimates that half of his clinic’s patients are on Medicare. Some already have telehealth appointments scheduled months out. He often uses telehealth to deliver simple information, like lab results, and fears that some patients may miss necessary appointments if they require an in-person visit, allowing conditions to worsen.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that seniors are going to suffer if this waiver goes away,” he said.
Dr. Saurabh Chandra, chief telehealth officer at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, said the flexibilities can mean the difference between older adults having a virtual appointment at 2 a.m. during a busy flu season or traveling long distances to an emergency room.
“This state was made for telehealth,” he said.
Advocates Urge Action
As Congress clashes over a GOP-led House proposal that could slash Medicaid spending, advocates are hopeful that telehealth services offered via Medicare will remain a bipartisan cause.
“Federal government does things last minute,” said Kyle Zebley, senior vice president for public policy at the American Telemedicine Association.
“We have a wonderful place in being bipartisan that we find ourselves in a very divided, very polarized time,” he said. “We’ll continue to work to do all we can to maintain that.”
Telehealth, though, hasn’t been immune from political crossfire.
Conclusion
The fate of Medicare telehealth coverage remains uncertain, leaving millions of beneficiaries in limbo. As the deadline approaches, health advocates are urging Congress to act quickly to maintain the flexibilities that have improved access to care for seniors and those with mobility issues.
FAQs
* What is the current status of Medicare telehealth coverage?
The current flexibilities are set to expire on March 31, 2023.
* What will happen if the flexibilities expire?
If the flexibilities expire, most telehealth appointments will only be covered if they’re provided in person at rural medical facilities.
* What are the exceptions to the rule?
Exceptions will be made for certain services, such as mental health care and some visits for home dialysis treatments.
* What is the percentage of Medicare beneficiaries who received a telehealth service between October and December 2023?
Roughly 13% of the nearly 22 million people with traditional coverage received a telehealth service during this period.
