Taskforce will recommend telehealth policies to keep after the pandemic

A group of advocates has launched a taskforce that will develop recommendations on telehealth services to keep in place beyond the coronavirus pandemic, 

The Taskforce on Telehealth Policy will be convened by the American Telemedicine Association, National Committee for Quality Assurance and Alliance for Connected Care. It will hold its first meeting later this month and meet regularly throughout the summer.

The group noted that traditional fee-for-service Medicare has seen drastic increases in remote visits since telehealth restrictions were lifted for the public health crisis, and many patients and providers want to see the option available moving forward. 

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma has suggested that waivers permitting broader telehealth coverage should be extended beyond the pandemic.

The recommendations will be developed for policymakers on how to maximize the benefits of telehealth services while retaining high patient safety standards, the group explained Thursday. Other priorities will include the integration of remote care into the healthcare ecosystem and ensuring the quality, accessibility, and efficacy of telehealth. Final recommendations are expected to be issued by early September. 

The taskforce can help policymakers take lessons from the past three months and develop “thoughtful recommendations that will provide access to remote care for the long term while balancing cost, quality and judicious use of taxpayer dollars,” said Krista Drobac, executive director for the Alliance for Connect Care. 

 “The value of telehealth during this emergency is undeniable, and the policy changes that were made by Congress and the Trump Administration were essential,” she added.