Healthcare has entered the digital age—but state laws are still written for the rotary phone era. Providing healthcare for patients in their homes has become easier than ever thanks to telemedicine, but regulators are often failing to keep up. Telehealth improves patient outcomes in many circumstances, particularly in chronic disease management. It alsoreduces emergency room visits by providing a convenient alternative for non-urgent care. Beyond improving access, telehealth is less expensive to deliver and saves patients both time and money.
This is likely why Congress has repeatedly extended many pandemic-era Medicare telehealth waivers through 2027, ensuring Medicare beneficiaries can continue receiving care easily. But temporary extensions are not enough. Congress should make these waiver permanent and fully integrate telehealth into Medicare going forward.
Despite telemedicine’s clear benefits, many state legislatures continue to impose needless barriers to its use. Some states require patients to establish an in-person relationship with a physician before receiving any telehealth services. Others only require an in-person visit before a healthcare provider may prescribe medicine.
Justin Leventhal is a Senior Policy Analyst for the American Consumer Institute, a nonprofit education and research organization that advocates for consumers through evidence-based analysis and data. Follow Justin on X @JustinLeventhal.