Permanent Medicare Telehealth Extension Sees Persistent Push

The lack of a permanent extension for a slate of telehealth provisions from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has sparked concern from industry watchers and lawmakers after the agency temporarily extended the policies earlier this month.

A CMS final rule (RIN: 0938-AV07) released Nov. 2 continued many telehealth flexibilities initiated during the Covid-19 public health emergency that made it easier for Medicare beneficiaries to receive online health services at home rather than at a clinic or hospital.

The rule includes assurances that Medicare will pay the same rate for telehealth services delivered at home as those delivered ...