Telehealth technologies have the potential to contribute to safe, high-quality primary care particularly if utilized in coordination with an individual’s medical home. PCC and the Better Health—NOW Campaign support key provisions of the Telemental Health Access Act discussion draft including those described below:
- PCC supports removing the requirement for in-person visit for tele-mental health visits and leaving the decision of the appropriate modality of tele-mental health care to the professionalism and training of the care team and the patient.
- PCC supports provisions enabling primary care 1practices to rely on audio-only telemental health services beyond the pandemic.
- PCC urges the Committee to work with CMS to limit the burden on practices associated with any modifier.
- PCC supports requiring the Secretary of HHS to issue guidance on provision of Medicare telehealth services for individuals with limited English proficiency.