Medicare Telehealth Disruptions: Patients Face Appointment Chaos
Medicare patients across the U.S. are facing disruptions in their healthcare services following the expiration of pandemic-era telehealth news on October 1, 2023. The change has left many unable to schedule new telehealth news today appointments, with hospitals and healthcare providers scrambling to inform patients and reschedule visits. ATA Action, a leading voice in telehealth, has urged Congress to reinstate the flexibilities to ensure continuity of care. The Department of Health and Human Services has attributed the issue to Senate Democrats, who are currently in control of the upper chamber. St. Elizabeth Healthcare, based in Kentucky, is actively working to reschedule affected patients for in-person visits and is alerting patients about potential billing issues. The healthcare provider has also paused new telehealth news today appointments for Medicare patients at its Regional Diabetes Center. Other healthcare institutions, such as NYU Langone Health, have also posted notices warning patients about the inability to schedule new telehealth news today appointments. The healthcare industry is united in its call to restore Medicare telehealth news flexibilities. Various groups, including telehealth providers, hospital associations, and professional medical organizations, are lobbying Congress to reinstate the waivers. Patients are advised to contact their doctor's office to schedule in-person appointments in the meantime. The expiration of Medicare's telehealth news has caused significant disruptions in care for patients across the U.S. Healthcare providers are working to mitigate the impact, but patients are advised to stay informed and proactive in managing their healthcare needs. The future of telehealth services under Medicare remains uncertain, pending Congressional action.
