Telehealth has become a cornerstone of modern healthcare, far surpassing its role as a temporary pandemic solution. Recent legislation has permanently extended the federal telehealth waiver, ensuring that telemedicine benefits can now be covered before deductibles are met under HSA-compatible high-deductible health plans (HDHPs).
For organizations already offering EZaccessMD, this is not a change in policy, it’s an affirmation that you’ve been doing things right all along. This update simply reinforces the importance of telehealth as a long-term, fully supported benefit.
For those not yet offering EZaccessMD, now is the ideal time to explore a proven, HSA-compatible program that improves employee health, strengthens retention, and reduces financial barriers to care.
HDHPs & HSAs
High-Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) are designed to offer lower monthly premiums in exchange for higher deductibles. When paired with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), they provide a powerful way for individuals to save pre-tax dollars to cover qualified medical expenses. To maintain HSA eligibility, however, HDHPs traditionally followed strict federal guidelines requiring employees to meet their deductible before coverage applied to non-preventive services.
Understanding First-Dollar Coverage
Prior to COVID-19, HDHPs could only offer first-dollar coverage (services covered before the deductible) for preventive care such as annual checkups, vaccinations, or certain screenings. Telehealth visits—even for routine or minor issues—were not considered preventive care. As a result, employees often had to pay the full cost of a telehealth visit until their deductible was met, discouraging many from using this convenient, lower-cost alternative.
When the pandemic struck, Congress recognized the critical role telehealth could play in keeping people safe and connected to care. A temporary waiver allowed HDHPs to cover telehealth visits before the deductible was met, while still preserving their HSA-eligibility status. This flexibility gave employees greater access to timely care, reduced unnecessary in-person visits, and removed a financial barrier at a time when healthcare access was more important than ever.
The permanent extension of the HSA telehealth waiver represents more than just a policy shift—it signals a broader transformation in how employees' access and experience healthcare. Employers are now tasked with designing benefits that not only meet compliance standards but also optimize affordability, accessibility, and employee satisfaction.
EZaccessMD is uniquely equipped to guide employers through this transition. By combining comprehensive telehealth services, mobile diagnostic capabilities, and in-home care, EZaccessMD offers a seamless solution that aligns perfectly with the flexibility enabled by the waiver's extension. Our approach reduces unnecessary emergency room and urgent care visits, helping employers control costs while giving employees fast, convenient access to the care they need.
Beyond convenience, EZaccessMD serves as a strategic partner for employers, ensuring that health plans remain competitive and compliant while delivering real value to employees. In this new era—where telehealth is not just supplemental but integral—EZaccessMD empowers organizations to turn regulatory updates into opportunities for stronger benefits and healthier workplaces.
To learn more about how EZaccessMD can benefit you as an advisor or employer, click below to schedule a time with an EZ Solutions Consultant!