Major Groups Representing Millions of Patients Release Telehealth Principles

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- A coalition of organizations representing millions of patients who live with serious, acute, and chronic conditions has released principles to guide policymakers seeking to ensure patients can continue to safely access appropriate telehealth services during and after the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Telehealth has long been an important care delivery method for improving access in underserved and rural communities, which often face physician shortages, and areas with limited access to primary care services. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical role telehealth can play in helping all patients continue to receive timely and safe health care services and treatments from their providers.

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, federal and state agencies provided new, and in some cases time-limited, flexibilities to increase access to telehealth. This has allowed millions of patients to access necessary health care services from the comfort and safety of their homes, driving an exponential increase in telehealth utilization. The coalition believes telehealth can and should be used to increase patient access to care. To permanently integrate it into the US health care system and ensure its integration drives the best care possible, new legislation and regulation will be necessary.

To ensure access, enable high quality care, promote equity, and protect patients, the coalition believes legislation or regulations concerning telehealth should meet the following principles:

    --  Improving Access through Equitable Coverage: Telehealth services should
        be covered by all health plans including, but not limited to, Medicare,
        Medicaid, the ACA Marketplace, and other federal and state regulated
        commercial health plans.
    --  Improving Access through Easing Technology Barriers: Telehealth services
        should be equitably available through easily usable technologies that
        are accessible to people with disabilities, with limited English
        proficiency, and limited technology. The option of audio-only
        communication is especially important for rural and low-income
        populations, as many of these patients lack internet access.
    --  Preserving and Promoting Patient Choice: A patient should have the
        opportunity and flexibility to choose whether they will access care
        in-person or via telehealth technologies.
    --  Removing Geographic Restrictions: Geographic restrictions place a burden
        on and can limit both patients and providers when evaluating treatment
        options for optimal care and should be removed.
    --  Protecting Patients and Provider Legal Rights: Health plans should
        clearly define what telehealth services are covered; providers must use
        technology compliant with patient privacy, disability access, and civil
        rights law. This information should be transparent and easy to
        understand for consumers.
    --  Increasing the Evidence Base for Telehealth: As telehealth becomes more
        common, data must be collected and more research must be conducted on
        the usage and outcomes of telehealth, with special attention to
        promoting health equity in order to determine how telehealth
        technologies should be designed and implemented so that all populations
        have equal access to their potential benefits.

The following organizations have endorsed these telehealth principles:

    --  ALS Association
    --  American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
    --  American Heart Association
    --  American Lung Association
    --  Arthritis Foundation
    --  Cancer Support Community
    --  Chronic Disease Coalition
    --  Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
    --  Epilepsy Foundation
    --  Hemophilia Federation of America
    --  JDRF
    --  Lutheran Services in America
    --  National Health Council
    --  National Multiple Sclerosis Society
    --  National Organization of Rare Disorders
    --  National Psoriasis Foundation
    --  Susan G. Komen

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SOURCE National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)