House Passes Bill Extending Telehealth Reimbursement
House bill 4040, introduced by Liz Cheney and Debbie Dingell, extends the current Medicare reimbursement flexibilities through the end of 2024. Otherwise, they would expire 151 days after the public health emergency ends. If passed by the Senate as well, this law would require Medicare to pay for currently reimbursable services when they are delivered via telehealth to beneficiaries located at any site, regardless of type or location. This gives palliative care providers more predictability as they extend their reach, including into the home and long-term care settings. The additional time will allow Congress more time to assess telehealth’s impact on cost and quality before they consider more permanent changes.