AMGA Urges Congress to Modernize Telehealth

Alexandria, VA — AMGA recommends Congress permanently extend the current telehealth flexibilities and ensure continued payment parity of telehealth services. The recommendations were submitted yesterday in response to a request for information (RFI) from the Congressional Telehealth Caucus to update the CONNECT for Health Act of 2021 (CONNECT Act) for the 118th Congress. AMGA also recommends the continuation of payment parity of audio-only services and removing state licensing restrictions for telehealth services.

"AMGA appreciates Congress' willingness to extend telehealth flexibilities with the Medicare program until the end of 2024 through the passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023," said Jerry Penso, MD, MBA, AMGA president and CEO. “To ensure that patients have access to their providers where they want it and how they want it. We urge Congress to permanently codify the current telehealth flexibilities." 

A recent AMGA telehealth survey confirms the need for permanent telehealth expansion. Ninety-two percent of survey participants stated a reduction in payments would result in decline in telehealth access.  

"During the COVID-19 pandemic, our members dedicated considerable resources to create a telehealth infrastructure that ensured continuity of care and access for their communities," Penso said. "Providers must have consistent reimbursement to maintain quality and patient access."

AMGA applauds the Congressional Telehealth Caucus on its release of the CONNECT Act RFI and will continue to advocate for its policy priorities as the bill is developed this Congress.

The letter is available on AMGA’s website. 

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About AMGA

AMGA is a trade association leading the transformation of healthcare in America. Representing multispecialty medical groups and integrated systems of care, we advocate, educate, innovate, and empower our members to deliver the next level of high performance health. AMGA is the national voice promoting awareness of our members’ recognized excellence in the delivery of coordinated, high-quality, high-value care. More than 175,000 physicians practice in our member organizations, delivering care to one in three Americans. 

AMGA represents medical groups and integrated systems of care. Its diverse membership includes multispecialty medical groups, integrated delivery systems, accountable care organizations, and other entities committed to improving healthcare outcomes. AMGA advocates for the formation of innovative, clinically integrated systems of care that advance population health, enhance patient experience, and reduce healthcare costs. For more information, please visit www.amga.org.