The National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation (NPHI) joined LeadingAge and the National Alliance for Care at Home in sending a joint letter to Congressional leadership urging swift action to extend the telehealth flexibility for hospice face-to-face (F2F) recertification encounters.
Originally established during the COVID-19 public health emergency, this commonsense authority has proven to be a patient-centered solution that reduces regulatory burden, increases access, and improves family satisfaction.
The letter underscores several key points:
- The hospice F2F encounter is administrative in nature and can be conducted effectively via telehealth.
- Telehealth saves valuable clinician time—especially in rural and high-traffic areas—allowing physicians and nurse practitioners to focus on patient care rather than travel.
- Without Congressional action, this flexibility will expire on September 30, 2025, creating risks of care disruptions and reduced access for patients.
- Bipartisan, bicameral support already exists, with provisions included in both the CONNECT for Health Act and the Hospice Recertification Flexibility Act.
NPHI continues to make this issue a top policy priority as Congress negotiates upcoming government funding legislation.
Given the rapidly approaching deadline and the looming threat of a government shutdown, NPHI is advising providers to begin contingency planning for a potential temporary return to in-person F2F visits starting October 1, 2025.
