I 

118TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. R. 8227 

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to remove in-person requirements under Medicare for mental health services furnished through telehealth and telecommunications technology. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MAY 2, 2024 

Mr. HERN (for himself, Ms. LEE of Nevada, Ms. MALLIOTAKIS, and Mr. 

FITZPATRICK) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 

Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee 

on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the 

Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within 

the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 

A BILL 

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to remove 

in-person requirements under Medicare for mental health 

services furnished through telehealth and telecommunications technology. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 


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•HR 8227 IH

1 SECTION 1. REMOVING THE IN-PERSON REQUIREMENTS 

2 UNDER MEDICARE FOR MENTAL HEALTH 

3 SERVICES FURNISHED THROUGH TELE4 HEALTH AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS TECH5 NOLOGY. 

6 (a) REMOVING IN-PERSON REQUIREMENTS FOR

7 MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FURNISHED THROUGH

8 TELEHEALTH.—Section 1834(m)(7) of the Social Secu9 rity Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(7)) is amended to read as 

10 follows: 

11 ‘‘(7) TREATMENT OF SUBSTANCE USE DIS12 ORDER SERVICES AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

13 FURNISHED THROUGH TELEHEALTH.—The geo14 graphic requirements described in paragraph 

15 (4)(C)(i) shall not apply with respect to telehealth 

16 services furnished on or after July 1, 2019, to an el17 igible telehealth individual with a substance use dis18 order diagnosis for purposes of treatment of such 

19 disorder or co-occurring mental health disorder, as 

20 determined by the Secretary, or, on or after the first 

21 day after the end of the emergency period described 

22 in section 1135(g)(1)(B), to an eligible telehealth in23 dividual for purposes of diagnosis, evaluation, or 

24 treatment of a mental health disorder, as determined 

25 by the Secretary, at an originating site described in 

26 paragraph (4)(C)(ii) (other than an originating site 


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•HR 8227 IH

1 described in subclause (IX) of such paragraph) or, 

2 for the period for which clause (iii) of paragraph 

3 (4)(C) applies, at any site described in such clause.’’. 

4 (b) MENTAL HEALTH VISITS FURNISHED BY RURAL

5 HEALTH CLINICS.—Section 1834(y) of the Social Security 

6 Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(y)) is amended— 

7 (1) in the heading, by striking ‘‘TO HOSPICE

8 PATIENTS’’; and 

9 (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘prior to the 

10 day that is the 152nd day after the end of the emer11 gency period described in section 1135(g)(1)(B))’’. 

12 (c) MENTAL HEALTH VISITS FURNISHED BY FEDER13 ALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS.—Section 

14 1834(o)(4) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 

15 1395m(o)(4) is amended— 

16 (1) in the heading, by striking ‘‘TO HOSPICE

17 PATIENTS’’; and 

18 (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘prior to 

19 the day that is the 152nd day after the end of the 

20 emergency period described in section 

21 1135(g)(1)(B))’’. 

Æ 


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