Legal Update: Spending Bill Extends Telehealth Coverage for HDHPs

A spending bill signed into law on March 15, 2022, extends the ability of high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) to provide benefits for telehealth or other remote care services before plan deductibles have been met without jeopardizing health savings account (HSA) eligibility. This extension applies to any telehealth services from April 2022 through the end of the year.

HDHPs may waive the deductible for telehealth services from April 2022 through the end of the year without jeopardizing HSA eligibility.

Important Dates:

• Jan. 1, 2022
  • The CARES Act rule allowing pre-deductible coverage of telehealth services expired for plan years beginning in 2022.

• March 15, 2022
  • A spending bill extended the rule to apply through 2022.

• April 2022 – Dec. 2022
  • This extension applies to any telehealth services from April 2022 through the end of the year.

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