Telehealth gets short extension, physician pay is cut in spending bill (Healthcare Finance)

President Joe Biden signed a short-term spending bill, avoiding a government shutdown but delaying long-term decisions on key healthcare policies. Telehealth and acute hospital-care-at-home waivers were extended only until March 31, 2025, falling short of the originally proposed multi-year extensions. Physicians face a 2.8% Medicare payment cut starting January 1, which critics argue effectively amounts to a 6.4% reduction when inflation is considered. Additionally, reforms for prior authorization and pharmacy benefit managers were excluded, sparking frustration among healthcare advocates. What does this mean for the future of healthcare access and provider sustainability? Dive into the full article for deeper insights into these critical developments.