Federal funding for telehealth services could be disrupted if Congress does not pass a spending bill before the night of Sept. 30, Politico reported.
Medicare coverage for telehealth visits — which has been extended repeatedly over the past five years — is set to expire at the end of September, according to the Sept. 26 report. Lawmakers have been divided over whether to include temporary funding for the services in measures to keep the government open.
A stopgap proposal introduced last week by House Republican leaders would have extended telehealth funding through the end of November, but the Senate did not advance the measure, Politico reported.
Kyle Zebley, executive director of the advocacy arm of the American Telemedicine Association, urged Congress to act. In a statement cited by Politico, Mr. Zebley said lawmakers should “at least give providers some reassurance that they will receive back payment for essential healthcare services delivered during this shutdown.”
The future of telehealth coverage now depends on whether congressional leaders can reach a last-minute agreement.
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