Can I Skype My Doctor? Limited Medicare Coverage Hinders Telemedicine’s Potential to Improve Health Care Access

Abstract

Telemedicine services, such as virtual consultations and remote patient monitoring, are revolutionizing health care delivery. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (“ACA”) promotes the use of technology in health care reform as a means to increase quality and access while reducing costs. Despite the excitement around telemedicine, the lack of Medicare reimbursement hinders access and innovation. This Note analyzes the utilization of telemedicine to promote health care access for Medicare beneficiaries, and argues that legislative and regulatory changes are needed to reconcile current Medicare policies with the ACA’s encouragement of using telemedicine services. Specifically, this Note recommends that Congress expand telemedicine reimbursement by increasing the number of covered telemedicine services, and by lifting site restrictions and geographical limitations on reimbursement.