Senior Citizens Rattled by News that Medicare Telehealth Coverage Could Expire Next Month
Kaye Peterson’s Dependence on Medicare Telehealth
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, so she 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.
Expiration of Medicare Telehealth Flexibilities
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.
Importance of Telehealth for Older Adults
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.
What’s at Stake
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.
Exceptions to the Rule
There will be exceptions for certain services, such as mental health care and some visits for home dialysis treatments.
Risks of Lapse in Telehealth Coverage
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.
Physician Perspective
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.
Advocates’ Concerns
“There’s no doubt in my mind that seniors are going to suffer if this waiver goes away,” he said.
Government Response
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.”
Conclusion
With the fate of telehealth still uncertain, the clock is ticking for millions of Medicare beneficiaries who rely on this service. As Congress weighs its next move, advocates are urging lawmakers to take action to preserve the flexibilities that have made telehealth a lifeline for older adults like Kaye Peterson.
FAQs
- What is Medicare telehealth?
- Why is Medicare telehealth important for older adults?
- What happens if the Medicare telehealth flexibilities expire?
- What are the exceptions to the rule?
Medicare telehealth is a service that allows Medicare beneficiaries to receive medical care remotely, using technology such as video conferencing or phone calls.
Medicare telehealth is particularly important for older adults who are homebound or live in rural communities far from their doctors’ offices. It allows them to access medical care without having to travel long distances.
If the flexibilities expire, most telehealth appointments will only be covered if they’re provided in person at rural medical facilities. This could have ramifications for millions of Medicare beneficiaries.
There will be exceptions for certain services, such as mental health care and some visits for home dialysis treatments.
