Congress takes first step to expand telehealth after end of public health emergency

On March 10, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2022, which includes an extension of current Medicare telehealth waivers for 151 days beyond the expiration of the public health emergency (PHE). This bill includes a specific extension for occupational therapists (OTs) and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) to provide services via telehealth to Medicare beneficiaries.