The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has issued a new position statement advocating for permanent telehealth coverage, emphasising its essential role in providing high-quality, patient-centered care for individuals with sleep disorders.
The position statement comes at a crucial turning point as current telehealth flexibilities implemented by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency are set to expire this month.
The AASM emphasises that permanent coverage with adequate reimbursement is vital for the long-term acceptance and expansion of telehealth services.
Dr Kunwar Praveen Vohra is lead author and member of the AASM Advocacy Committee.
Vohra said: “Sleep medicine is uniquely suited for telehealth delivery due to limited provider access, safety concerns with sleepy patients, and the availability of remote patient monitoring for treatment management.
“The minimal need for repeated physical examinations in sleep medicine makes it an ideal field for telehealth implementation.”
Research demonstrates that digitally delivered care is equally effective in improving sleep quality, and it can advance health equity, further reinforcing the need for permanent coverage.
For instance, evidence shows that telehealth-supported treatments, such as cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia, can improve both patient outcomes and treatment adherence when conducted virtually.
Additionally, telehealth integration tackles critical health care challenges by expanding patient access, boosting clinician efficiency and enhancing patient safety.
Vohra said: “Telehealth eliminates the need for sleepy patients to drive to appointments, reducing crash risks while facilitating access to care for underserved populations.
“This is particularly important for patients with conditions like sleep apnoea and narcolepsy who experience excessive daytime sleepiness.”
The AASM called for stakeholders to address several key areas to optimise telehealth services, including payment models, interstate care regulations, technology access and prescribing practices.
The organization emphasised the importance of payment parity between audiovisual and in-office visits to ensure financial viability.
To support the continued growth of sleep telehealth services, the AASM recommended expanding research to evaluate outcomes, access to care, cost-effectiveness and optimal integration into clinical practice.
The organization also emphasised the need for increased access to broadband networks, particularly in rural areas, to ensure telehealth is accessible and safe for all patients.
