AAPM&R continues to advocate for expanded telehealth innovations and enhanced ways for physiatrists to advance patient care.
During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE), physiatrists relied on several key flexibilities, such as the elimination of geographic restrictions based on patient location, payment parity for telehealth services, and coverage of audio-only services when providing necessary telehealth services to patients. Employers and health plans were able to provide pre-deductible coverage of telehealth services for individuals with High-Deductible Health Plans with Health Savings Accounts (HDHP-HSA). Your Academy took an active role in advocating for Congress to keep these widely supported telehealth waivers in place. In response to our advocacy efforts, a two-year extension of Medicare and commercial market telehealth flexibilities was packaged in the $1.7 trillion omnibus spending bill signed into law on December 23, 2022. AAPM&R continues to advocate for permanent telehealth reform and comprehensive coverage. We recognize the two-year extension as being a positive first step in this direction!
AAPM&R has participated in various sign on and comment letters, supporting coverage of telehealth during the public health emergency and beyond, including:
- February, 22, 2024: AAPM&R Joins Alliance for Connected Care Letter Urging Congress to Make Permanent Telehealth Flexibilities
- October 10, 2023: AAPM&R Sends Letter of Support to the Michigan State House Health Policy Committee on Telehealth Payment Parity
- January 26, 2023: Multi-Specialty Letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on the Extension of Telehealth Policies through 2024
- September 13, 2022: Letter to Senate Urging Action on Telehealth Legislation
- May 31, 2022: Letter to Congressional Appropriators to Increase Funding for Telehealth Resource Centers (TRCs)
- April 2, 2022: AAPM&R Supports Principles for Telehealth Payment Parity
- January 31, 2022: Letter to Congress Urging Action on Telehealth to Create Permanent, Comprehensive Telehealth Reform
- January 14, 2022: Letter to Congress Requesting to Reinstate Virtual Care Access for Individuals with HDHP-HSAs
- October 28, 2021: Letter to Governors on Recent or Impending Expiration of Licensure Flexibilities for Care Across State Lines
- September 13, 2021: 2022 MPFS Proposed Rule Comment Letter
- March 5, 2021: Letter to President Biden Regarding PM&R Priorities During COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
- October 5, 2020: 2021 MPFS Proposed Rule Comment Letter
- July 15, 2020: Letter to CMS Documenting Role of Telemedicine During the Public Health Emergency
- April 13, 2020: Letter to AHIP Requesting Expansion of Telemedicine Services
- April 13, 2020: Letter to BCBS Requesting Expansion of Telemedicine Services
- April 13, 2020: Letter to CMS Requesting Payment Parity for Audio-Only E/M Visits
Telehealth White Paper
In June 2023, AAPM&R released a white paper, Telehealth in PM&R: Past, Present and Future in Clinical practice and Opportunities for Translational Research. AAPM&R recognizes the significant value telehealth holds in delivering and receiving care and the importance of exploring forward-thinking strategies to address the opportunities and challenges in using technology to provide services outside of traditional face-to-face healthcare. In response, the Academy convened an expert group of leaders to examine telehealth innovation across various practice settings and areas of care unique to the PM&R specialty. This white paper summarizes the cutting-edge use of telehealth in our specialty, identifies current knowledge deficits and technological limitations, outlines the strength of available evidence, and explores new and transformative opportunities for PM&R to advance translational research and patient care. Academy members are encouraged to share this white paper with your colleagues and interested stakeholders.
Alliance for Connected Care
To advance our advocacy strategies in telehealth, The Academy has joined more than 30 patient and provider groups as a member of the Alliance for Connected Care Advisory Board. The Alliance has several key advocacy priorities that align with AAPM&R including expanding access to telehealth services by removing geographic and site limitations and ensuring appropriate reimbursement of providers for the delivery of telehealth. The Alliance has made many resources available to help keep us up to date on the current federal and state telehealth regulations: