PHE WAIVERS

In 2020, federal and state agencies enacted temporary changes to telehealth policies to ensure access to care during the coronavirus pandemic. The Public Health Emergency (PHE) gave agencies temporary authority to expand telehealth use for the duration of the PHE. When the PHE ends, all “waivers” put in place during the emergency period will go away. Some states have taken steps to make pandemic-era changes permanent after the Public Health Emergency has passed.

The pandemic led to massive uptake of telehealth and increased reliance on distance technology in medicine. But permanent change to reimbursement policies at the federal levelwill require congressional action backed by extensive research on cost and quality. CTeL is in the middle of many policy discussions specific to the expansion and permanency of the PHE waivers.  Policy Requirements Associated with COVID 19 Waivers:

• Originating Site

• Provider Type

• Audio-Only Delivery

• Prescribing Requirements

• Informed Consent Requirements

• Cross-State Licensing

• Private Payer