Advancing Access to Telehealth Act

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to make permanent certain telehealth flexibilities under the Medicare program. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Advancing Access to Telehealth Act 2. Making permanent certain telehealth flexibilities under Medicare (a) Expanded access to telehealth services Section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m) (1) in paragraph (2)(B)(iii), by striking In the case that ending December 31, 2024, With respect to telehealth services that are furnished on or after the first day of the emergency period described in section 1135(g)(1)(B), (2) in paragraph (4)(C)(iii), by striking In the case that ending on December 31, 2024, With respect to telehealth services that are furnished on or after the first day of the emergency period described in section 1135(g)(1)(B), (b) Expansion of practitioners eligible To furnish telehealth services Section 1834(m)(4)(E) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(4)(E) in the case that ending on December 31, 2024, beginning on the first day of the emergency period described in section 1135(g)(1)(B), (c) Extension of telehealth services furnished by Federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics Section 1834(m)(8)(A) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(8)(A) During the emergency ending on December 31, 2024 Beginning on the first day of the emergency period described in section 1135(g)(1)(B) (d) Treatment of telehealth services furnished using audio-Only telecommunications technology Section 1834(m)(9) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(9) (1) by striking In the case that the Secretary shall continue to The Secretary shall (2) by striking identified in paragraph (4)(F)(i) as of the date of the enactment of this paragraph (3) by striking during the period on or after the first day of the emergency period described in section 1135(g)(1)(B). (e) Elimination of in-Person requirements under Medicare for certain services furnished through telehealth (1) Home dialysis monthly ESRD-related visit; stroke telehealth services; substance use disorder services and mental health services (A) In general Section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m) (B) Conforming changes Section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m) (i) in paragraph (1), by striking Subject to paragraphs (8) and (9) Subject to paragraphs (5) and (6) (ii) in paragraph (2)— (I) in subparagraph (A), by striking Subject to paragraph (8) Subject to paragraph (5) (II) in subparagraph (B), by striking and paragraph (6)(C) (iii) in paragraph (4)— (I) in subparagraph (A), by striking Subject to paragraph (8) Subject to paragraph (5) (II) in subparagraph (C)— (aa) in clause (i), by striking and paragraphs (5), (6), and (7) (bb) in clause (ii)(X), by striking or telehealth services described in paragraph (7) (III) in subparagraph (F), by striking Subject to paragraph (8) Subject to paragraph (5) (2) Mental health visits furnished by Federally qualified health centers Section 1834(o)(4)(B) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(o)(4)(B) prior to described in section 1135(g)(1)(B)) (3) Mental health visits furnished by rural health clinics Section 1834(y)(2) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(y)(2) prior to described in section 1135(g)(1)(B))

Summary: Advancing Access to Telehealth ActThis bill modifies requirements relating to coverage of telehealth services under Medicare.Specifically, the bill permanently extends certain flexibilities that were initially authorized during the public health emergency relating to COVID-19. Among other things, the bill allows (1) rural health clinics and federally qualified health centers to serve as the distant site (i.e., the location of the health care practitioner); (2) the home of a beneficiary to serve as the originating site (i.e., the location of the beneficiary) for all services (rather than for only certain services); and (3) audiologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists to furnish telehealth services.