Center for Telehealth and eHealth Law (CTeL)

?? DEA and HHS Announce Third Extension of Telemedicine Flexibilities for Controlled Substances ?? In a pivotal move, the DEA and HHS have announced a third temporary extension of telemedicine prescribing flexibilities for controlled substances, running from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025. This decision ensures millions of patients continue to have access to critical care while regulators refine long-term policies. ???? First introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine flexibilities have been a lifeline for patients managing chronic pain, mental health conditions, and opioid use disorder. Now, this extension continues that legacy of care, especially for underserved populations. What This Means: ? Access for Vulnerable Populations: Telemedicine ensures uninterrupted care for those in remote areas or managing opioid addiction, saving lives and bridging gaps in healthcare. ? Support for Healthcare Providers: This extension gives providers the time needed to prepare for future regulations, ensuring smooth transitions and sustained care for patients. ? Enhanced Public Safety: Balancing access with safety, robust patient verification and monitoring systems are in the works to prevent misuse while continuing to meet patient needs. Why It Matters: ? Over 38,000 public responses highlighted the need for expanded telemedicine access. ? Native American communities' needs have shaped the inclusivity of this policy. ? Telemedicine is vital for rural and underserved communities, where it’s often the only way to access specialty care. While this is a temporary extension, it underscores the transformative potential of telemedicine in healthcare. We’re on the path to a permanent solution by 2026, one that will make telehealth an essential and reliable part of our healthcare system. ?? Read the full announcement and stay updated on what’s next. #Telemedicine #HealthcareInnovation #DEA #HHS #PatientCare #Telehealth #PublicHealth #Regulation #HealthcareAccess #ChronicPain #OpioidUseDisorder #HealthEquity #TelehealthPolicy https://lnkd.in/e9vBfGZ7

?? Happy Thanksgiving from CTeL! ?? Now that's a good looking Thanksgiving offering if you ask us... As we gather around the table this Thanksgiving, we’re serving up the perfect telehealth feast: ??? Permanent Telehealth Coverage – No leftovers here! We’re advocating for enduring policies that make telehealth a main course for care delivery. ?? Audio-Only Coverage – Because healthcare access should never be on mute! This vital component ensures everyone can connect to care, no matter their resources. ?? Sufficient Reimbursement – Let’s keep the virtual care gravy train flowing, with fair compensation for providers delivering care online. ?? No Geographic Restrictions – Why let borders carve up care? Removing location barriers ensures equitable access for urban, rural, and remote communities alike. ?? Other Essential Waivers – From cross-state licensure flexibility to expanded service types, these policies are the seasoning that brings the whole dish together. We’re thankful for the collaborative telehealth community—policymakers, providers, technologists, and advocates—working tirelessly to serve up better healthcare access for all. Let’s keep this momentum alive so everyone can enjoy a healthier tomorrow. From all of us at CTeL: Happy Thanksgiving! ?? https://lnkd.in/gRdrUcWj #Thanksgiving #Telehealth #AccessToCare #CTeL #HealthcareInnovation

CTeL Digital Health Summit Session Highlight: Optimizing Reimbursement: Understanding the Physician Fee Schedule with featured speakers Michelle Hager with Blue Cirrus Consulting, Carol Yarbrough with University of California, San Francisco, and Emily Yoder with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Understanding the ins and outs of the physician fee schedule is critical for ensuring accurate billing and optimizing reimbursement. Here's what every provider and healthcare professional should focus on: ? Stay Updated: Learn the structure of the physician fee schedule and the update process to stay ahead of changes that impact billing practices. ? Optimize Reimbursement: Develop effective coding and documentation strategies to ensure you’re capturing the full value of services provided. ? Ensure Compliance: Recognize common compliance pitfalls and implement methods to avoid audits while maintaining ethical billing practices. ? Streamline Enrollment: Understand how provider enrollment affects reimbursement rates and explore strategies to simplify the process for faster, timely payments. Staying informed and proactive can make a huge difference in financial performance and compliance. We're excited to dive into this discussion at the summit in 2 weeks! www.ctel.org/ctelsummit #HealthcareFinance #PhysicianFeeSchedule #MedicalBilling #Compliance #ReimbursementOptimization #CTeLSummit

?? Spotlight on CTeL Digital Health Summit: Navigating Federal Policies in Digital Health ?? CTeL is excited to host this engaging session on the current state of play for federal policies in #digitalhealth, featuring Aneesh Chopra, MA, Chief Strategy Officer Arcadia, moderated by Scott Dziengelski, Consultant with King & Spalding LLP. ?? Key Questions We’ll Tackle: *What upcoming federal policies under Trump could reshape digital health? *How might the 2025 regulatory agenda affect innovation and compliance? *What strategies can help digital health leaders navigate and adapt to these changes? This closed-door session is necessary for healthcare executives, policy advocates, and innovators looking to stay ahead in the evolving regulatory landscape. For more information, visit www.ctel.org/ctelsummit. #DigitalHealth #TelehealthPolicy #HealthInnovation #CTeLSummit

?? Generative AI in Healthcare: The FDA Weighs In ?? The FDA’s Digital Health Advisory Committee met this week to tackle the evolving role of generative AI in healthcare, and the discussions couldn’t have been more timely or insightful. As this groundbreaking technology takes center stage, here are some key takeaways: ?? Patient-Centered AI FDA Commissioner Robert Califf emphasized that AI's true potential lies in improving care delivery—not just boosting profits. The focus must remain on better outcomes, not just efficiency. ?? Accountability & Risk Who is accountable when generative AI gets it wrong? The committee called for clear guidelines and robust post-market reporting systems to ensure safety without overburdening providers. ?? Equity Matters Generative AI must be built on diverse datasets to prevent widening health disparities. The FDA highlighted the importance of designing tools with demographic inclusivity at the forefront. ?? Balancing Efficiency & Quality While generative AI can streamline workflows and administrative tasks, quality of care must never take a backseat to cost savings. As these conversations continue, it’s clear that generative AI has immense potential—but it requires thoughtful regulation to ensure it serves all patients safely and equitably. Read more about the FDA’s deliberations and what they mean for the future of healthcare innovation. ?? https://lnkd.in/dRsHJDHZ #GenerativeAI #DigitalHealth #HealthcareInnovation #FDA #AIRegulation

CTeL's Big Ask to the “Wizard of Mehmet Oz” ?? CTeL: "Oh, great and powerful Wizard of Oz (well, CMS, but calling it Oz adds flair), we’ve traveled the Yellow Brick Road (a.k.a., years of telehealth advocacy and progress) with the united support of the telehealth community. Now, we humbly seek courage, heart, and brains to tackle the legislative and policy challenges looming on 12/31/24!" Here’s what we’re asking for—it’s not even a balloon to go home! ?? A Telehealth Access Forever Spell: Eliminate outdated restrictions so patients can access care anywhere—no broomsticks or dodging flying monkeys required. ?? Reimbursement as Mighty as the Tin Man’s Ax: Let’s make fair payment for virtual services the norm, not a wish upon a star. ?? The Hospital-at-Home Charm: There’s no place like home, especially for innovative care delivery. Time to make this option permanent! ? Expiring Waiver Wishes: Extend the waivers that have helped millions access critical care—before they’re swept away like a Kansas tornado. CTeL: "Wizard, we’ve seen telehealth’s life-changing potential and know you have the power to secure its future. Don’t let this progress disappear in a puff of smoke!" Let’s work together to make telehealth a lasting, equitable solution for all. See you in Emerald City, CMS! ?? #Telehealth #CMS #HealthcareInnovation #FollowTheYellowBrickRoad https://lnkd.in/e8Rd4fjd

?? Seizing a Transformational Moment in Healthcare Policy ?? The Center for Telehealth and e-Health Law (CTeL) has delivered a bold message to the Trump Administration’s Presidential Transition Team: now is the time to make telehealth and digital health innovations the cornerstone of American healthcare. In our latest letter to the Transition Team, we’ve outlined a clear and actionable path forward. From permanently removing outdated #Medicare barriers to advancing AI in healthcare, our recommendations are aimed at expanding access, reducing costs, and improving outcomes for all Americans. ?? Key highlights include: ?? Making telehealth flexibilities permanent: Millions of seniors and rural patients relied on telehealth during the pandemic. Let’s ensure these gains aren’t lost. ?? Combating the opioid crisis: Telehealth-enabled medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is saving lives. A permanent framework is essential to sustain progress. ?? Leveraging #AI and remote monitoring: From predictive analytics to wearable tech, digital innovations are revolutionizing care—but policy must keep pace. “The groundwork has been laid, but the work is far from over,” said Christa Natoli (She/Her) Natoli, Executive Director of CTeL. “By embracing these solutions, we can create a healthcare system that is more accessible, affordable, and innovative for all Americans.” ?? Our call to action: To policymakers, healthcare leaders, and innovators—join us in advocating for these critical changes. Together, we can reshape the future of healthcare. ?? Read more about our recommendations here: https://lnkd.in/dv98TUkJ #Telehealth #DigitalHealth #HealthcareInnovation #PublicPolicy #AIInHealthcare #HealthTech

CTeL's Telehealth Policy Scoop 11.22.24 Turn your videos into live streams with https://restream.io Your weekly update on telehealth policy.

Congressional Inaction on Telehealth? That’s Rotten. Just like milk with an expiration date, critical telehealth flexibilities are about to sour if Congress doesn’t act soon. The clock is ticking on temporary telehealth waivers, leaving millions of patients and providers in serious need of refrigeration—aka permanent legislative solutions. The Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024 is sitting on the shelf, waiting to ensure telehealth services don’t curdle when the current provisions expire on December 31, 2024. We’re calling for action before the clock runs out, or millions of Americans could lose access to care. Here’s why: ?? One-Year Extensions Are a Bandaid: This year’s extension is helpful but feels like a Groundhog Day rerun. Patients and providers deserve permanent, predictable solutions. ?? Care Gaps Will Worsen: If Congress lets telehealth flexibilities spoil, rural communities, mental health patients, and those managing chronic conditions will bear the brunt. ?? Healthcare Access Isn’t “Sell By”: We’re advocating for fresh, forward-thinking legislation that cements telehealth as a core component of modern healthcare. Passing the Telehealth Modernization Act would: ? Expand access to care beyond geographic and facility-based restrictions. ? Support telehealth prescribing for critical treatments like mental health and substance use disorders. ? Provide providers and health systems with the clarity they need to plan long-term. Congress, it’s time to get this done. Let’s stop reusing Band-Aids and start building permanent, equitable healthcare solutions. https://lnkd.in/ek_mRdja #Telehealth #DigitalHealth #HealthcareInnovation #healthpolicy #TelehealthModernizationAct #noexpirationdate

We're happy to see some progress with #OMB approving the #DEA's final rule for a third extension, but uncertainty is still looming. The #telehealth community still needs clear guidance and decisive action on telehealth prescribing regulations. While temporary extensions provide a brief reprieve, they don’t solve the underlying challenges. ?? Without a long-term solution, healthcare providers, patients, and systems are left navigating a patchwork of policies—uncertain about what lies ahead after yet another deadline. Groundhog day may shift to December 31, 2025 (6?) instead of February 2nd. ?? Extensions aren't the answer; they’re a delay. To truly support virtual care's potential, we need comprehensive, permanent policies that prioritize patient safety, provider confidence, and equitable access. The pressure has not been lifted, and many waivers are still in flux. Many decisions still need to be made. Let's keep working to push for solutions that don’t just buy time but build the future of telehealth. But as Mr. Rogers says, "look for the helpers." Collectively, we are all the helpers, helping to bring accessible care to all.