WASHINGTON – Congressman Troy Balderson (R-OH) and Congresswoman Cindy Axne (D-IA) last week introduced bipartisan legislation to expand telehealth access through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to include services by physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, clinical social workers, and audiologists. H.R. 6694 would temporarily enable these types of care providers to treat patients virtually, of critical importance in Ohio as citizens practice social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Following introduction of the bill in the U.S. House of Representatives Friday, CMS issued new guidelines that provide an expansion of telehealth services to include those offered by physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech language pathologists.
Balderson released the following statement on the bill’s introduction:
“Just because Ohioans are staying at home doesn’t mean they don’t need continued care. The challenges posed by this pandemic require innovative solutions and accommodations. This legislation will help connect Ohioans—especially those living in rural areas or at high risk for COVID-19—to essential treatments while also supporting our state’s ongoing efforts to reduce the virus’ spread.”
“The need for providing telehealth services during this unprecedented health care crisis is vital to ensure Ohioans continue to access care while practicing social distancing and reducing community spread,” said Mike Abrams, Ohio Hospital Association President & CEO. “Through telehealth services, Ohio hospitals have increased access to care, lowered costs, improved patient satisfaction and, most importantly, improved clinical outcomes. OHA commends Rep. Balderson and congressional leaders for offering this legislation to strengthen our health care system and expand more services for telehealth.”
“Ohio’s Community Health Centers applaud Congressman Balderson for his leadership in expanding the list of providers that have telehealth capabilities,” said Julie DiRossi-King, Chief Operating Officer for the Ohio Association of Community Health Centers. “This new legislation provides Health Centers with the needed flexibility to offer even more access options so Ohioans can receive much-needed care while eliminating unnecessary potential COVID-19 exposure.”
“Ensuring physical therapists have the option to utilize telehealth for Medicare beneficiaries during the national emergency will help keep patients safe, and provide flexibility in the delivery of health care,” said Justin Elliott, Vice President of Government Affairs of the American Physical Therapy Association. “We are grateful to Congressman Balderson for his work on this legislation that is critical to the patients we serve.”
“APTQI applauds Representatives Axne and Balderson for being champions for our Medicare patients who are having difficulty in accessing care during the COVID-19 crisis,” said Nikesh Patel, Executive Director of the Alliance for Physical Therapy Quality and Innovation. “Passage of this bill would allow Medicare patients to access therapy services from the safety of their own home and limit their chance of exposure.”
“We are thrilled that Reps. Axne, Balderson and Hill have introduced this bill given the importance of enabling occupational therapy practitioners to provide remote services through telehealth to Medicare beneficiaries during the COVID-19 crisis,” said Sherry Keramidas, Executive Director of the American Occupational Therapy Association. “The ability of occupational therapy practitioners to provide services to our most vulnerable populations has never been more important than during the current COVID-19 pandemic, yet Medicare does not allow occupational therapy services to be provided by therapists via telehealth. Access to telehealth services through Medicare will help occupational therapy practitioners to continue essential therapy services despite closures and other service disruptions.”
The legislation is also endorsed by the American Hospital Association, Ohio Association of Community Health Centers, National Association of Community Health Centers, American Academy of Audiology, Academy of Doctors of Audiology, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, National Council on Aging, National Association of Social Workers, ALS Foundation, OrthoForum, and others.
###
