Alright, fellow telehealth enthusiasts, buckle up because this week's policy scoop is serving up more twists and turns than a M. Night Shyamalan movie! From bureaucratic labyrinths to Big Pharma's new dating apps for patients, we've got the lowdown on everything you need to know.
CTeL in the Hot Seat (In a Good Way!)
Did you miss our "Pixels and Payments: Telehealth's New Reality Under the Big Beautiful Bill" webinar? No worries, CTeL members! You can still catch the replay in our – consider it your policy cheat sheet for the upcoming fiscal cliff. And speaking of cliffs, CMS just dropped their 2026 Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule. At a whopping 1800+ pages, it makes "War and Peace" look like a pamphlet. But don't fret, CTeL’s got your back with a concise summary of the key digital health provisions right . You're welcome.
Industry Insights: Survival of the Fittest (and Fastest ROI)
Ever wonder how healthcare organizations are navigating this "Hunger Games" of policy changes? KLAS Research just released a report showing that everyone's got their contingency plans on speed dial. The takeaway? Investments are all about that fast, measurable ROI. Think of it as the healthcare equivalent of "show me the money!"
And let's hear it for the unsung heroes of rural healthcare! The Telehealth Broadband Pilot Program, a joint venture funded by HRSA and backed by a "Memorandum of Understanding" (which sounds like a secret handshake between the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Agriculture, and the FCC), is dishing out crucial data on rural broadband access. This isn't just about faster Netflix in the countryside; it's about connecting patients in underserved areas to vital care. Because nobody wants healthcare stuck buffering.
Administration Alley: The CMS Shuffle and HHS Layoffs
CMS, always keeping us on our toes, has proposed a major shake-up to how they add codes to the Medicare Telehealth Services list in their CY2026 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule. It's like they're trying to re-alphabetize the entire library – significant, but hopefully for the better. And in another administrative update, the CY2026 Outpatient Prospective Payment System proposed rule is exploring how to account for the costs of Software as a Service (SaaS). Because let's face it, cloud computing isn't just for cat videos anymore. CTeL members are encouraged to join our August AI Working Group to discuss collective recommendations for this ruling.
On a more somber note, following a Supreme Court ruling, HHS has begun formally laying off employees. The extent of these firings is still unclear, but it's a stark reminder that even in the world of healthcare policy, the real world has its harsh realities. And speaking of realities, the HHS OIG just dropped a report on Medicare’s global surgery policy, basically saying, "Hey, are we really valuing those postoperative visits correctly?" It's like discovering your favorite coffee shop has been overcharging you for extra foam.
Congressional Corner: Pharma's New Tricks and AI's Legal Woes
Senators Durbin, Sanders, Warren, and Welch just pulled back the curtain on "Big Pharma’s New Sales Scheme: Expanding Patient Access or a Virtual Pill Mill? A Direct-to-Consumer Telehealth Platform Investigation." This report dives into Pfizer and Eli Lilly's cozy relationships with DTC telehealth platforms, questioning if they're influencing prescription practices more than a good doctor's visit should. While they affirm telehealth's value (phew!), they're concerned about potential conflicts of interest. It's like finding out your dating app is secretly owned by a company that only sells engagement rings. Awkward.
Meanwhile, House Republicans are still trying to bring back some Medicaid and Medicare cuts that didn't quite make it into their "One Big Beautiful Bill" (their words, not ours!). They're exploring options like site-neutral payment reform and reductions in Medicaid payments for Medicaid Expansion states through the annual appropriations process.
And because it's 2025, you know AI is everywhere! The House Energy and Commerce Committee heard about H.R. 2821, FDA Modernization Act 3.0, which aims to reduce animal testing for drug development, prioritizing AI as a replacement. It's like the FDA is finally watching "Minority Report" and thinking, "Hey, maybe there's a better way to predict things!"
And the tech hearings didn't stop there. Congress was buzzing with debates on federal oversight of digital commodities, making America the "Crypto Capital of the World" (move over, Silicon Valley!), and the truly chilling topic of Artificial Intelligence and Criminal Exploitation. Plus, the Senate Judiciary got into the nitty-gritty of the AI industry's "mass ingestion of copyrighted works for AI training." It seems even AI can be a little bit of a kleptomaniac when it comes to data.
States of Play: AI Lawsuits and Licensure Love!
Hold onto your stethoscopes, because in Missouri, hospitals are suing Blue KC for allegedly denying millions in payments, claiming an artificial intelligence tool used to review claims is the culprit. It's like Skynet decided to become a health insurance adjuster. You can't make this stuff up!
And finally, some good news from the Tar Heel State! North Carolina has officially joined the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Commission, becoming the 44th jurisdiction to embrace this streamlined licensure pathway. This is a big win for physician mobility and getting more doctors where they're needed most. Think of it as the ultimate fast pass for medical professionals!
Phew! That's a wrap on this week's Telehealth Policy Scoop! We hope you found it as informative as it was entertaining. Don't be a stranger – hit that Follow button to keep getting the freshest policy insights delivered straight to your inbox. And if you want to be part of the community shaping the future of telehealth, visit to become a CTeL member today!
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