Eastern Shore Times

WASHINGTON, DC: Last week, Congressional Nursing Caucus Vice Chair Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) joined fellow former Navy helicopter pilot Rep. Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) and Rep. Diana Harshbarger (TN-01) as an original cosponsor of the bipartisan Expanded Telehealth Access Act. This legislation would increase access to virtual healthcare in Virginia and across the country by expanding the types of medical professionals that may bill Medicare for telehealth services.

“The ability to see healthcare providers virtually was crucial during the COVID-19 Pandemic,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “As a geriatric nurse practitioner, expanding access to healthcare is one of my top priorities in Congress. I’m proud to join my colleagues to support this bill to make a positive impact in the lives of millions of Americans, particularly our aging population and rural residents.”

BACKGROUND

During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, CMS waived requirements that limit the types of practitioners that may bill for their services when furnished as Medicare telehealth services. Though the Public Health Emergency came to an end on May 11th of this year, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 extended many of these telehealth waivers through the end of 2024. The Expanded Telehealth Access Act would permanently enshrine these provisions into law.

This legislation is endorsed by American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), the Alliance for Connected Care (ACC), American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and the Consumer Technology Association.

Original source can be found here.