ATA to Sebelius: 'End unnecessary restrictions'

The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) has asked Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to lift "unnecessary restrictions on healthcare delivery that prohibits millions of Americans from accessing quality medical care."

ATA sent a letter to Sebelius urging her to allow Medicare providers paid under alternative payment methods the flexibility to use telehealth as a means to add value for Medicare and its beneficiaries. The association sent similar recommendations to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Marilynn Tavenner, specifically addressing the payment innovation that is the Pioneer accountable care organizations (ACOs).

“Due to current restrictions outlined in the telehealth provisions of the Medicare statute 1835(m), providers cannot take advantage of the full capabilities of telemedicine and telehealth due to unnecessary limitations,” said Jonathan Linkous, CEO of ATA. “The current language creates artificial barriers to care including patient location restrictions, communications technology restrictions and it also defines a narrow list of eligible providers and covered services.”

ATA made the following two recommendations in its letter:

1. HHS and CMS should waive the Medicare restrictions on telehealth in section 1834(m) for ACOs and Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation payment models for bundled acute care and medical homes. 
2. The agencies should also waive section 1895(e)(1) for these alternative payment methods to allow home telehealth and remote monitoring for “homebound” Medicare beneficiaries.