How We Can Avoid The 'Telehealth Cliff'

It's become common knowledge, at this point, that the flexibilities enabled by the federal government at the start of the COVID-19 public health emergency prompted an atmospheric jump in telehealth use.   

At the same time, the question has continued to loom: What will the future of those flexibilities – and, by extension, telehealth – look like?

"Last year, electronic health services played a critical role in keeping vulnerable Americans, particularly our seniors, safe from exposure while continuing to provide the care they need," said Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., in his opening remarks for a panel at the American Telemedicine Association's annual conference and expo this month.

"Our goal is to ensure these services remain accessible after the COVID-19 pandemic," continued Scott, who has cosponsored two major telehealth bills in Congress.  

"As our country recovers, we have a responsibility to make sure our telehealth efforts move forward, not backward," he added.