The American Heart Association has released a policy statement advocating for Medicare to cover cardiovascular disease telehealth services.
The association recommends Medicare provide coverage for all evidence-based telehealth services for cardiovascular and stroke care, in part because these services can reduce cost and increase accessibility to quality patient care, according to AHA. Other recommendations include incorporating telehealth into EHR systems and investing in future telehealth research.
"With increasing physician shortages, rising costs and a burgeoning demand for treatment, telehealth can greatly improve value in healthcare and, most importantly, produce better health outcomes for all," said Lee Schwamm, MD, lead author of the policy statement. "It is recognized as safe, timely, effective, equitable, efficient and patient-centered care."