Legislation in Washington is moving forward—even in an election year—as the 118th Congress, second session convened for three weeks until it adjourned March 25 for Easter recess, and then again for the week of April 1, when both chambers are on spring recess to campaign for 2024 elections. Pain medicine proponents are working feverishly to move these bills forward, before all focus goes to the national political party conventions in Chicago (Democrats) and Milwaukee (Republicans)
APRIL 8, 2024
Naloxone Telehealth Legislation Expected in the House
Legislation in Washington is moving forward—even in an election year—as the 118th Congress, second session convened for three weeks until it adjourned March 25 for Easter recess, and then again for the week of April 1, when both chambers are on spring recess to campaign for 2024 elections. Pain medicine proponents are working feverishly to move these bills forward, before all focus goes to the national political party conventions in Chicago (Democrats) and Milwaukee (Republicans) this summer.
Telehealth renewals for insurance coverage in the House and a new Senate bill on naloxone treatment options are forging ahead in this Congress, with March seeing movement on telehealth rule flexibility and pain prescriber options that were put into effect during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rep. Jerry Nadler’s (D-N.Y.) legislative assistant reported that these exceptions expire in late December 2024, and Congress is scrambling under some pressure from the pain medicine field to move back to the table to keep these options in place.
“I am confident that we’ll have some type of package to address telehealth flexibility extensions before they expire in December,” said the New York legislative director.
The Department of Health and Human Services website postings on the deadline state that after Dec. 31, 2024, when these flexibilities are set to expire, “some Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) may offer telehealth services that allow doctors and other practitioners participating in the ACO to care for patients without an in-person visit, no matter where they live.”
If a healthcare provider participates in an ACO, individuals should check with them to see what telehealth services may be available, according to HHS. Medicare Advantage plans must cover the telehealth benefits covered by Medicare and may offer additional telehealth benefits. People with a Medicare Advantage plan should check with their plan about coverage for telehealth services.
The HHS website stated that it is “moving away and transitioning away from the COVID-19 enabled emergency policies,” but noted that there will remain “flexibilities related to telehealth and tele-prescribing to ensure that patients may continue to receive the care they need.”
—Michael Smith