The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed legislation on July 27 that would extend expanded telehealth provisions through the end of 2024. The legislation, which passed by a vote of 416-12, extends rules implemented at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic that allow Medicare along with federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics to cover telehealth visits at patients homes as well as audio-only telehealth.

The ACC has proactively advocated for expanded access to telehealth services throughout the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, as part of its efforts to ensure patient access to care and protect the health and safety of clinicians and patients. Without this intervention by Congress, the telehealth rules would have expired five months after the end of the public health emergency, which will occur in October unless Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra opts to extend the emergency once again.

The bill now faces a vote in the Senate. Stay tuned to ACC’s Advocate newsletter for updates as they occur.

Clinical Topics: COVID-19 Hub, Geriatric Cardiology

Keywords: United States Dept. of Health and Human Services, Health Services Accessibility, Telemedicine, Medicare, Rural Health, Pandemics, Public Health, COVID-19, Aged, ACC Advocacy

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