MSCI Asks Congress To Preserve Policy That Expanded Access To Telehealth

The Metals Service Center Institute (MSCI) joined more than 220 other organizations last week in sending a letter to Republican and Democratic leaders in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives asking them to extend a policy that provides employers with the flexibility to offer their workers with a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) paired with a Health Savings Account (HSA) access to telehealth services pre-deductible.

The provision will expire at the end of 2024 if Congress does not act.

The letter explained that, without congressional action, “employers will be required to charge employees more to access telehealth services, creating a barrier to care, including tele-mental health treatment. The nation’s growing mental health crisis demonstrates that Americans need more access to affordable mental and behavioral health services, not less.”

The letter, which is available at this link, also noted:

• 98 percent of employers say maintaining telehealth flexibility would be beneficial for their plans and covered employees and their families. Nearly three-quarters, 72 percent, said an extension would be important or very important.
• In 2025, 81 percent of employers intend to offer their employees and their dependents access to lower- or no-cost mental health support through their tele-mental health provider.
• Nearly three-quarters of large employers, 74 percent, have said expanding behavioral health care access is an important or very important priority for the next three to five years.
• Employees do not want to lose access to pre-deductible telehealth benefits. In one survey, 78 percent said this congressionally-mandate flexibility made it easier to seek out needed health care services.