The Alliance for Connected Care appreciated the opportunity to testify for the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) listening session on prescribing controlled substances via telemedicine on September 12, 2023. We appreciate the DEA’s quick response during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) to allow prescribing via telemedicine. This was also a hugely meaningful expansion of access for Americans who had other barriers to accessing care. These include individuals who are frail, homebound or lack transportation, who live in areas with provider shortages, people of all kinds whose caregiving responsibilities serve as a barrier to care. We strongly support the development and [...]

The Alliance for Connected Care submitted comments on the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Proposed Rule for calendar year (CY) 2024, which includes several important reforms with respect to telehealth. The Alliance emphasized the following overarching priorities: The Alliance appreciates and supports the proposal from CMS to pay claims billed with POS 10 (Telehealth Provided in Patient’s Home) at the non-facility PFS rate. We applaud CMS for this choice, which recognizes that Medicare services provided via telehealth are simply a different modality for patients to receive the same care.  However, rather than defining this payment rate around POS [...]