$1.5 trillion congressional omnibus bill extends telehealth coverage

Congress passed a $1.5 trillion omnibus spending bill March 10 that allows employers to continue offering telehealth coverage to employees with health savings accounts before they meet an annual deductible, according to Bloomberg Law.

The provision that allowed for telehealth coverage before patients met their deductible expired at the end of 2021. The extended coverage does not apply to the first quarter of 2022 and is temporary. The coverage extension will apply from April 1 to Dec. 31.

The bill also includes several additional provisions to extend telehealth coverage:

• Medicare-enrolled providers can bill for telehealth services.
• Medicare can cover telehealth visit costs for adults 65 and older.
• Medicare can cover telehealth visits that occur within a patient's home and in healthcare facilities.

The legislation now awaits President Joe Biden's signature.