Preserving Access to Life-Impacting Care
On September 30, 2025, critical Medicare telemedicine flexibilities expired. The following day, the federal government entered a shutdown, leaving hospitals, providers, and patients in limbo, and putting millions of patients at risk of losing access to timely specialist care. This position paper from TeleSpecialists examines the immediate policy crisis and provides a clear roadmap for Congressional action.
Medicare beneficiaries nationwide face new barriers to essential neurology, psychiatry, and specialty consultations. While stroke care remains protected, patients with seizures, traumatic brain injuries, and behavioral health emergencies now encounter outdated geographic restrictions that contradict modern healthcare delivery.
The paper demonstrates how current Medicare policy creates arbitrary access barriers based on ZIP code rather than clinical need. Digital healthcare consultations reduce costs by $7,500 to $12,000 per patient compared to unnecessary transfers, while improving outcomes and preventing complications.
Congress should extend permanent Medicare reimbursement for hospital-based emergency and outpatient specialty consultations regardless of geographic location, refine in-person visit requirements for behavioral health, and protect Hospital at Home programs that serve vulnerable populations.
With over 1.5 million patient encounters delivered nationwide, TeleSpecialists demonstrates that digital healthcare improves patient access, enhances outcomes, and reduces system costs. Sustainable reimbursement policy should reward quality, efficiency, and outcomes, not penalize location.
Download the Full Position Paper to understand the clinical reality, financial impact, and specific legislative actions needed to preserve access to life-impacting care.
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