Thank you for your attention and participation in various activities in protecting medical practices.
We want to bring to your attention critical issues affecting patients across the United States, including those covered by Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and commercial insurers.
The Medicare Final Rule has significantly changed the provision of telehealth services. Starting April 1, 2025, most telehealth services will require patients to be physically present in an office or medical facility located in a rural area. This restriction excludes patients in non-rural areas from accessing telehealth services altogether. Even for those in rural regions, traveling to a designated facility can be extremely difficult, undermining one of telehealth’s primary benefits—providing care from the patient’s home. These changes will impose substantial transportation costs, create burdens for elderly patients who cannot drive, and disrupt the working population that relies on telehealth for accessible care. Currently, approximately 20% of patients depend on telehealth services.
Furthermore, if this rule remains in place, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and commercial insurers are expected to adopt similar policies, likely with reduced reimbursements. This will effectively dismantle telehealth services, severely limiting patient access to essential health services.
This issue is crucial for millions of patients across the country, and we hope you will take action to help preserve access to these vital services. We urgently request you to contact CMS and members of Congress (House and Senate).
Please go to VoterVoice and from there, send your letters. You may also copy the letter into your own letterhead or e-mail it directly. We have created a sample letter for your convenience.