Urge Congress to Expand Medicare Telehealth for Audiologists and SLPs

ASHA is urging Congress to expand the ability of audiologists and SLPs to provide telehealth services to Medicare beneficiaries in future legislation responding to the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 is not only impacting the health and well-being of audiologists and SLPs but also their ability to practice and treat patients. Audiologists and SLPs must continue providing medically necessary care in a manner that protects their safety and their patient’s safety while adhering to government recommendations to discourage spreading the virus by limiting close contact with others—especially older individuals and those with underlying health conditions.

ASHA sent letters to House [PDF] and Senate [PDF] leaders highlighting the importance of enabling audiologists and SLPs to provide telehealth services to Medicare beneficiaries.

ASHA members can also advocate on this issue by sending a message to their members of Congress asking them to protect patients and providers while ensuring access to medically necessary care by cosponsoring the CONNECT for Health Act of 2019 (H.R. 4932/S. 2741) and urging its inclusion in any legislative response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Questions?

Please contact Jerry White, ASHA’s director, federal affairs, health care, at jwhite@asha.org.