Contact your lawmakers and urge them to support permanent extension of Medicare telehealth flexibilities by supporting the CONNECT for Health Act.

The Background: 

The flexibilities granted by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) during the Public Health Emergency (PHE) allowed expanded use of telehealth for Medicare beneficiaries and providers. This expanded telehealth utilization has helped ensure patients with cancer have uninterrupted access to high-quality care. The increased use of telehealth, when appropriate, has also helped providers reach historically underserved populations, including rural populations and those that might find it prohibitive to take off work, find childcare, and arrange transportation for an in-person visit.

Why it Matters: 

While these flexibilities were extended through the end of 2024, without additional Congressional action the restrictions will return in 2025. Congress must take action to make telehealth flexibilities permanent to ensure continued access for Medicare patients regardless of where they live.

The Ask: 

ASCO supports the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2023 (S. 2016/H.R. 4189), bipartisan legislation that seeks to permanently extend telehealth flexibilities for Medicare services. The Senate bill is led by Sens. Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) and the House bill by Reps. Mike Thompson (D-CA-5), Doris Matsui (D-CA-7), and David Schweikert (R-AZ-6).

Contact your lawmakers and urge them to support permanent extension of Medicare telehealth flexibilities by supporting the CONNECT for Health Act.