AAFP pens letter with recommendations for after public health emergency ends

The American Academy of Family Physicians has sent a letter to President Joe Biden with recommendations for continuing healthcare access after the federal COVID-19 public emergency ends May 11.

Here are the six recommendations included in the letter signed by board chair Sterling Ransone Jr., MD:

1. Protect the access to COVID-19 testing, treatments and vaccines.
2. Prevent Medicare telehealth coverage and payment disruptions.
3. Prevent administrative, cost and other barriers to treatment for patients with long COVID-19.
4. Allow Medicare payment for virtual supervision of residents permanently and expand the Medicare primary care exception.
5. Guarantee the ability of physician practices to purchase and stock COVID-19 vaccines once they hit the commercial market.
6. Protect access to telehealth treatment for patients with opioid use disorder.