Telehealth Lobby Lauds CMS' '24 Physician Fee Sked Proposed Rule

However, the ATA urges tighter privacy provisions for physicians.

The American Telemedicine Association and affiliate ATA Action are voicing support for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' proposed rule for the 2024 Physician Fee Schedule, which the advocates note extends into the new year the telehealth flexibilities put forward during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

"The proposed rule is, overall, positive for the telehealth community and patients, and looks beyond the now-expired COVID-19 public health emergency to continue the expansion of telehealth services, providing much needed clarity for physicians and other stakeholders across the country," Kyle Zebley, ATA senior vice president, public policy, and executive director, ATA Action says in an 11-page letter sent this week to CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure.  

However, Zebley says the proposed rule raises privacy concerns for physicians.

"During the PHE, CMS did not require providers to list their home address when most care was provided virtually," he says. "We urge CMS to permanently allow providers to bill their practice address in order to maintain the confidentiality and security of the provider’s home address, especially for those providing mental health services. It is imperative that this flexibility not be allowed to expire at the end of 2023."