More and more individuals and organizations are recognizing telehealth’s potential, boosted by a Yale study validating that it offers the same effectiveness as in-person care in certain scenarios. This growing acceptance and application were evident by the various causes being advanced to support its growth.
As the year comes to a close, let’s reflect on the milestones achieved and the ongoing efforts shaping the future of telehealth in 2025 and beyond.
Advancing Rural and Small-Town Health Care
Earlier this year, the Virginia House of Delegates launched the House Select Committee for Rural and Small-Town Health Care to study challenges faced by rural counties and small towns in accessing quality health care. The committee is tasked with developing actionable recommendations to improve health care access across the Commonwealth, which will be proposed in the 2025 legislative session.
In April, VTN Board Chair Dr. Karen Rheuban met with the committee to discuss important considerations for implementing a successful telehealth program.
“Telehealth is a big part of the solution for some of the challenges we’re seeing,” said Del. Mark Sickles, who serves on the committee. “It can’t solve when a patient needs to be in the physical presence of a provider, but its usage is critical in rural areas and small towns of Virginia, especially for mental health needs.”
DEA Grants Third Temporary Extension of Flexibilities for Tele-Prescribing Controlled Substances
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in concert with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a third extension of telemedicine flexibilities for the prescribing of controlled medications through December 31, 2025.
Under this new temporary rule, providers can continue prescribing Schedule II-V controlled substances via telemedicine without having conducted an in-person evaluation of the patient, if certain conditions are met.
The DEA emphasized the critical role telemedicine has played in ensuring access to care, especially for patients dependent on controlled substances. Allowing the flexibilities to expire at the end of 2024, the agency stated, would risk disrupting care for patients who rely on telemedicine for vital medications. Such a reduction in access would not align with the public interest, the DEA noted.
Addressing Connectivity and Access Disparities
While telehealth offers tremendous opportunities to rural communities, broadband access remains a significant challenge. In partnership with the Office of Emergency Services, VTN surveyed EMS professionals across Virginia about their use of telehealth. Sadly, lack of infrastructure and patient connectivity were the top reasons limiting EMS agencies’ use of telehealth.
To help with this, VTN has advocated for a budget amendment to assist in exploring telehealth hubs where individuals in under-resourced communities can access this technology. Last year, Senator Warner announced a $1.4 billion investment to expand broadband in Virginia with funding awarded through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program. We’re hopeful and eager to see this investment alleviate much of the health care disparity in the coming years through the expansion of telehealth.
CMS Defines, Extends Telehealth Policies and Usage
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the CY 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) final rules.
These rules outline payment rates and policies for health care services provided under Medicare in 2025, including significant updates to telehealth services. CMS is expanding access to telehealth by extending several pandemic-era flexibilities, allowing more services to be provided virtually and ensuring broader coverage for rural and underserved areas.
The CMS also put forth a proposed rule that would extend certain telehealth waivers through 2025. Among them:
- Federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics would continue to be able to bill for non-behavioral health telehealth services.
- Providers would continue to be allowed to report enrolled practice addresses instead of home addresses when delivering services from their home.
- The definition of what is meant by “direct supervision” would continue to acknowledge that a virtual presence by way of audio/video real-time communications technology is just as efficient as in-person supervision. Along the same lines, virtual supervision of residents when the service is performed virtually across teaching settings – both Metropolitan Service Areas and Non-Metropolitan Service Areas – would remain in effect.
While we celebrate these wins, it’s important to acknowledge certain Medicare telehealth policies that are set to expire on December 24, 2024.
Looking ahead to 2025, there is so much opportunity and momentum behind this work. We continue to be thrilled by the growing number of advocates and causes supporting telehealth and are honored to collaborate with leaders driving this momentum.