On Sept. 13, the AANS and the CNS joined the American Medical Association and more than 300 physician, health care and patient organizations in calling on the U.S. Senate to continue regulatory and payment telehealth flexibilities for at least two years. Earlier this year, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed legislation to extend the telehealth flexibilities afforded physicians and patients during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). The letter to Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) notes that telehealth “has been transformational — patients now expect and often prefer telehealth as a key component of our health care system.” The letter also points out that physicians and other health care organizations “have been able to reach many patients that previously had access barriers through virtual care” because of the flexibility and waivers under the current PHE. However, at the end of the PHE, these waivers will end.
Click here to read the letter.
