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Telehealth and doctors win, PBMs lose as government funding deal nears

The article from Modern Healthcare discusses the inclusion of several healthcare-related provisions in a $1.7 trillion government spending bill. Key points include the extension of telehealth flexibilities that were initially implemented during the public health emergency, allowing for continued virtual care options. This includes waiving geographic restrictions and expanding the types of providers who can offer telehealth services. Additionally, the bill addresses physician payment adjustments, with a 2% cut in Medicare payments to doctors set to take effect in 2023, although there's mention of potential delays or modifications to this cut. The legislation also aims to reform pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) by increasing transparency and potentially altering how they negotiate drug prices, which could impact drug costs for patients. These measures reflect ongoing efforts to adapt healthcare delivery and payment systems in response to both immediate needs and long-term policy goals.

Read the Full Modern Healthcare Article at:
[ https://www.modernhealthcare.com/politics-policy/telehealth-flexibilities-doctor-pay-pbms-government-spending-bill ]