Here are the three telehealth regulation areas to be decided upon in 2024:
- Medicare waivers: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, CMS introduced waivers that allowed physicians to receive Medicare payments regardless of location. U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, introduced the CONNECT Act, a bill with 61 cosponsors that would eliminate geographic telehealth restrictions.
- Expansion to underinsured: Underinsured patients and those with high deductible plans were able to access telehealth services through CARES Act flexibility. The Telehealth Expansion Act would make those changes permanent.
- Controlled substance prescriptions: The TREATS Act would allow for the prescription of opioid use disorder drugs via telehealth.
