More than 400 advocacy groups are calling for Congress to act quickly to permanently expand flexibilities for telehealth that could go away after the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency expected to run through 2021. The 430 groups sent a letter to congressional leadership underscoring the urgency for action now amid concerns from providers that expanded […]
A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators have reintroduced the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2021. If enacted the bill would expand Medicare coverage of telehealth service and make permanent flexibilities for virtual services implemented on a temporary basis during the COVID-19 pandemic. Primary sponsors include Sens […]
More than 400 healthcare and technology organizations are calling on Capitol Hill to eliminate arbitrary restrictions while helping FQHCs and critical access hospitals offer wider access to virtual care. By Mike Miliard July 27, 202109:55 AM Leading healthcare industry stakeholders on Monday implored top leaders in the House and Senate to help ensure, among other imperatives, […]
On March 10, 2021, Congress finalized and passed the American Rescue Plan of 2021 (ARP), the latest COVID-19 relief package that largely tracks President Biden’s initial $1.9 trillion proposal. The ARP extends unemployment insurance benefits and provides direct $1,400 stimulus payments to qualifying Americans, but it also makes several important health-policy-related changes. These include providing […]
The Federal Communications Commission this week unanimously approved a process for distributing nearly $250 million to help healthcare providers deliver telehealth services. The second round of funding (PDF) for the COVID-19 Telehealth Program builds on the $200 million program established as part of the CARES Act last year. The funding will cover the costs of providers’ telecommunications […]
Media Contact:Paloma PerezPaloma.Perez@fcc.gov For Immediate Release FCC ACTING CHAIRWOMAN CIRCULATES ROUND 2 COVID-19 TELEHEALTH PROGRAM REPORT AND ORDERCongress Tasked the FCC to Create Rules and Procedures for Round 2 of Program to Support Health Care Providers During the Pandemic—WASHINGTON, March 17, 2021—Today, Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel circulated a Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration […]
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) released it’s post-COVID-19 telehealth policy proposals on Tuesday. These proposals include the expansion of telehealth services, requiring payment parity for telehealth services, expanding the use of audio-only care and many more proposals. When the COVID-19 pandemic was declared a public health emergency, the collective provisions like the CARES Act, FFCRA and other federal […]
In advance of the next session of Congress, lawmakers are scrambling to file new bills or resubmit old bills that aim to expand telehealth access and coverage through and beyond the coronavirus pandemic. By Eric Wicklund January 29, 2021 – The telehealth bills are starting to pile up on Capitol Hill. At least three more bills have been […]
The relief bill signed into law this past weekend by President Trump includes $250 million for the Federal Communications Commission’s COVID-19 Telehealth Program, which was shut down in July after exhausting its budget. By Eric Wicklund December 29, 2020 – The latest federal COVID-19 relief bill is giving new life to a program aimed at expanding telehealth through […]
The Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Wireline Competition Bureau announced Wednesday that it is requesting public comment for Round 2 distribution of an additional $249.95 million for its COVID-19 Telehealth Program; the Round 2 funding comes from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. The FCC started the program in March 2020 with $200 million of CARES Act funding in order […]
December 9, 2020 Dear Majority Leader McConnell, Minority Leader Schumer, Speaker Pelosi, and Minority LeaderMcCarthy: The undersigned organizations represent millions of individuals facing serious, acute and chronic healthconditions across the country. Our organizations have a unique perspective on what individuals need toprevent disease, cure illness and manage chronic health conditions. The diversity of our groups […]
Passed by Congress Dec. 21, 2020, and signed by President Donald Trump Dec. 27, 2020, the $1.4 trillion omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (H.R. 133), includes numerous statutory provisions that directly affect healthcare providers. The spending bill funds the federal government through the end of the fiscal year, Sept. 30, 2021, and provides a $300 […]
SEC. 903. FCC COVID–19 TELEHEALTH PROGRAM. (a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section— (1) the term ‘‘appropriate congressional com- mittees’’ means— (A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; and (B) the Committee on Energy and Com- merce of the House of Representatives; (2) the term ‘‘Commission’’ means the Federal Communications Commission; and (3) the […]
The HHS Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) published its intent to review some key measures the Federal government made in response to COVID-19. Those key measures include the Medicare program’s telehealth policy changes and oversight of funds disbursed to providers under the CARES Act and the Provider Relief Fund (“PRF”). While the OIG’s review focuses on the […]