More than 28 million Medicare beneficiaries used telemedicine services during the first year of the pandemic. This rapid adoption is due in part to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), who implemented policies allowing for greater flexibility when providing telemedicine services during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

CMS failed to extend the flexibilities currently allowing Americans to access telemedicine since the COVID-19 public health emergency. It is now up to Congress to codify these flexibilities into stature before expiration on December 31st.

The good news is that this work has already begun. There are currently 115 pieces of legislation regarding the use of telemedicine introduced in Congress. The ACR supports Congress passing any telemedicine legislation that:  

• Codifies telemedicine flexibilities implemented under the COVID-19 public health emergency.  

• Continues parity of reimbursement for in-office visits and audio-visual visits from CMS.  
• Mitigates regulatory barriers to practicing interstate telemedicine 

Ask your lawmakers to extend telehealth flexibilities that preserve patients’ access to this crucial resource! 

The ACR’s Legislative Action Center will allow you to contact your members of Congress with just a few clicks. Take a moment to send your letter today!