PCC endorses the Primary and Virtual Care Affordability Act (H.R.5541)

On Oct. 17, the PCC endorsed the bipartisan Primary and Virtual Care Affordability Act (H.R. 5541) in a letter to its cosponsors, Reps. Bradley Schneider (D-Ill.) and Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio).  
According to the 2021 Kaiser Family Foundation Employer Health Benefits Survey of private and non-federal employers, approximately 28% depended on a high-deductible health plan with a savings option such as a Health Savings Account (HSA/HDHPs), but these plans bar coverage for many primary care services until patients meet their deductible.
 
High deductibles present barriers to needed primary care, and a temporary, pandemic-related provision that offers relief from deductibles for telehealth services expires Dec. 31, 2021.
 
HR 5541 would extend the telehealth waiver to Dec. 31, 2023, while simultaneously allowing employers and health plan sponsors the flexibility to also waive cost-sharing for in-person primary care. For PCC, this last provision was a key addition.