1. United States
2. Ill.
3. Letter

Congress must take action to permanently allow Medicare beneficiaries to access telehealth services. During the COVID-19 pandemic, temporary measures enabled Medicare coverage for telehealth visits, providing a vital lifeline for seniors to access critical health care services safely from home. However, these flexibilities will expire once the public health emergency ends, cutting off access for millions of older Americans who have come to rely on telehealth. Telehealth has proven highly effective and popular among Medicare beneficiaries. A study found nearly 9 in 10 seniors were interested in continuing to use telehealth services even after the pandemic subsides. Furthermore, data shows telehealth can improve health outcomes and reduce costs by increasing access to preventive care and better managing chronic conditions. With telehealth's clear benefits, Congress has a responsibility to ensure this valuable care option remains permanently available to the Medicare population. Doing so will advance health equity, allowing those with mobility issues, transportation barriers, or who live in rural or underserved areas to receive needed services conveniently. Permanently covering telehealth under Medicare aligns with the program's mission of providing high-quality, cost-effective care while affording seniors independence and quality of life.