Senators Poised to Bring Back Telehealth Coverage Provision

Lawmakers are looking to allow individuals in high-deductible health plans to once again use telehealth services without first having to meet those deductibles, according to the Senate’s latest draft of a sweeping reconciliation bill.

The updated reconciliation bill, which is being considered in the Senate this week, seeks to reinstate and permanently extend the “safe harbor” provision introduced under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act of 2020 that allowed high-deductible plans to offer “first-dollar” telehealth coverage without affecting eligibility in health savings accounts.

The provision would apply retroactively to individuals with high-deductible plans who are currently not allowed ...