I 
117TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 7573 
To amend titles XI and XVIII of the Social Security Act to extend certain 
telehealth services covered by Medicare and to evaluate the impact of 
telehealth services on Medicare beneficiaries, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 26, 2022 
Mrs. AXNE (for herself and Mr. HUDSON) introduced the following bill; which 
was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition 
to the Committees on Ways and Means, and the Judiciary, for a period 
to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consider-
ation of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
concerned 
A BILL 
To amend titles XI and XVIII of the Social Security Act 
to extend certain telehealth services covered by Medicare 
and to evaluate the impact of telehealth services on Medi-
care beneficiaries, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Telehealth Extension and Evaluation Act’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:11 Apr 27, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7573.IH
H7573
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents of 
this Act is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Extension of telehealth services. 
Sec. 3. Temporary requirements for provision of high-cost durable medical 
equipment and laboratory tests. 
Sec. 4. Requirement to submit NPI number for telehealth billing. 
Sec. 5. Federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics. 
Sec. 6. Telehealth flexibilities for critical access hospitals. 
Sec. 7. Use of telehealth for the dispensing of controlled substances by means 
of the internet. 
Sec. 8. Study on the effects of changes to telehealth under the Medicare and 
Medicaid programs during the COVID–19 emergency. 
Sec. 9. Extension of authority for audio-only telehealth services under the Medi-
care program. 
SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF TELEHEALTH SERVICES. 
Section 1135(e) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
1320b–5(e)) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing new paragraph: 
‘‘(3) TWO-YEAR EXTENSION OF TELEHEALTH 
SERVICES
FOLLOWING
THE
COVID–19
EMERGENCY 
PERIOD.—Notwithstanding any other provision of 
this section, a waiver or modification of require-
ments pursuant to subsection (b)(8) shall terminate 
on the date that is 2 years after the last day of the 
emergency 
period 
described 
in 
subsection 
(g)(1)(B).’’. 
SEC. 3. TEMPORARY REQUIREMENTS FOR PROVISION OF 
HIGH-COST DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT 
AND LABORATORY TESTS. 
(a) HIGH-COST DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT.— 
Section 1834(a)(1)(E) of the Social Security Act (42 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:11 Apr 27, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7573.IH
H7573
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
U.S.C. 1395m(a)(1)(E)) is amended by adding at the end 
the following new clauses: 
‘‘(vi) STANDARDS FOR HIGH-COST DU-
RABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT.— 
‘‘(I) LIMITATION
ON
PAYMENT 
FOR
HIGH-COST
DURABLE
MEDICAL 
EQUIPMENT.—During the 2-year pe-
riod beginning on the day after the 
last day of the emergency period de-
scribed in section 1135(g)(1)(B), pay-
ment may not be made under this 
subsection for high-cost durable med-
ical equipment ordered by a physician 
or other practitioner described in 
clause (ii) via telehealth for an indi-
vidual, unless such physician or prac-
titioner furnished to such individual a 
service in person at least once during 
the 12-month period prior to ordering 
such high-cost durable medical equip-
ment. 
‘‘(II) HIGH-COST DURABLE MED-
ICAL
EQUIPMENT
DEFINED.—For 
purposes of this clause, the term 
‘high-cost durable medical equipment’ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:11 Apr 27, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7573.IH
H7573
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
means, with respect to a year, durable 
medical equipment for which payment 
may be made under paragraphs (2) 
through (8), the price under the clin-
ical lab fee schedule which for such 
year is in the highest quartile of na-
tional purchase prices of durable med-
ical equipment payable for such year. 
‘‘(vii) AUDIT
OF
PROVIDERS
AND 
PRACTITIONERS FURNISHING A HIGH VOL-
UME
OF
DURABLE
MEDICAL
EQUIPMENT 
VIA TELEHEALTH.— 
‘‘(I) IDENTIFICATION
OF
PRO-
VIDERS.—During the 2-year period 
beginning on the day after the last 
day of the emergency period described 
in section 1135(g)(1)(B), Medicare 
administrative contractors shall con-
duct reviews, on a schedule deter-
mined by the Secretary, of claims for 
durable medical equipment prescribed 
by a physician or other practitioner 
described in clause (ii) during the 12- 
month period preceding such review to 
identify physicians or other practi-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:11 Apr 27, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7573.IH
H7573
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
tioners with respect to whom at least 
90 percent of all durable medical 
equipment prescribed by such physi-
cian or practitioner during such pe-
riod was prescribed pursuant to a 
telehealth visit. 
‘‘(II) AUDIT.—In the case of a 
physician or practitioner identified 
under subclause (I), with respect to a 
12-month period described in such 
subclause, the Medicare administra-
tive contractors shall conduct audits 
of all claims for durable medical 
equipment prescribed by such physi-
cians or practitioners to determine 
whether such claims comply with the 
requirements for coverage under this 
title.’’. 
(b) 
HIGH-COST
LABORATORY
TESTS.—Section 
1834A(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m– 
1(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
paragraphs: 
‘‘(6) REQUIREMENT FOR HIGH-COST LABORA-
TORY TESTS.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:11 Apr 27, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7573.IH
H7573
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(A) LIMITATION ON PAYMENT FOR HIGH- 
COST LABORATORY TESTS.—During the 2-year 
period beginning on the day after the last day 
of the emergency period described in section 
1135(g)(1)(B), payment may not be made 
under this subsection for a high-cost laboratory 
test ordered by a physician or practitioner via 
telehealth for an individual, unless such physi-
cian or practitioner furnished to such individual 
a service in person at least once during the 12- 
month period prior to ordering such high-cost 
laboratory test. 
‘‘(B) HIGH-COST LABORATORY TEST DE-
FINED.—For purposes of this paragraph, the 
term ‘high-cost laboratory test’ means, with re-
spect to a year, a laboratory test for which pay-
ment may be made under this section, and the 
purchase price of which for such year is in the 
highest quartile of purchase prices of laboratory 
tests for such year. 
‘‘(7) AUDIT
OF
LABORATORY
TESTING
OR-
DERED PURSUANT TO TELEHEALTH VISIT.— 
‘‘(A) IDENTIFICATION
OF
PROVIDERS.— 
During the 2-year period beginning on the day 
after the last day of the emergency period de-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:11 Apr 27, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7573.IH
H7573
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
scribed in section 1135(g)(1)(B), Medicare ad-
ministrative contractors shall conduct periodic 
reviews, on a schedule determined by the Sec-
retary, of claims for laboratory tests prescribed 
by a physician or practitioner during the 12- 
month period preceding such review to identify 
physicians or other practitioners with respect to 
whom at least 90 percent of all laboratory tests 
prescribed by such physician or practitioner 
during such period were prescribed pursuant to 
a telehealth visit. 
‘‘(B) AUDIT.—In the case of a physician 
or practitioner identified under subparagraph 
(A), with respect to a 12-month period de-
scribed in such subparagraph, the Medicare ad-
ministrative contractors shall conduct audits of 
all claims for laboratory tests prescribed by 
such physicians or practitioners during such pe-
riod to determine whether such claims comply 
with the requirements for coverage under this 
title.’’. 
SEC. 4. REQUIREMENT TO SUBMIT NPI NUMBER FOR TELE-
HEALTH BILLING. 
Section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 1395m(m)) is amended— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:11 Apr 27, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7573.IH
H7573
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
(1) in the first sentence of paragraph (1), by 
striking ‘‘paragraphs (8) and (9)’’ and inserting 
‘‘paragraphs (8), (9), and (10)’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(10) REQUIREMENT TO SUBMIT NPI NUMBER 
FOR TELEHEALTH BILLING.—During the 2-year pe-
riod beginning on the day after the last day of the 
emergency 
period 
described 
in 
section 
1135(g)(1)(B), payment may not be made under 
this subsection for telehealth services furnished by a 
health care professional eligible to bill Medicare for 
their professional services unless such health care 
professional submits a claim for payment— 
‘‘(A) under the national provider identifica-
tion number assigned to such health care pro-
fessional; 
‘‘(B) in the case of services provided under 
section 1833(a)(8), under the facility identifica-
tion number; or 
‘‘(C) in the case of occupational therapy 
assistants or physical therapy assistants in pri-
vate practice, under the national provider iden-
tification of the supervising therapist.’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:11 Apr 27, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7573.IH
H7573
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
SEC. 5. FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS AND 
RURAL HEALTH CLINICS. 
Section 1834(m)(8) of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 1395m(m)(8)) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A), in the matter pre-
ceding clause (i), by striking ‘‘the 151-day period’’ 
and inserting ‘‘the 2-year period’’; and 
(2) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(B) PAYMENT.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—A telehealth serv-
ice furnished by a Federally qualified 
health center or a rural health clinic to an 
individual pursuant to this paragraph on 
or after the date of the enactment of this 
subparagraph shall be deemed to be so fur-
nished to such individual as an outpatient 
of such clinic or facility (as applicable) for 
purposes of paragraph (1) or (3), respec-
tively, of section 1861(aa) and payable as 
a Federally qualified health center service 
or rural health clinic service (as applicable) 
under the prospective payment system es-
tablished under section 1834(o) or under 
section 1833(a)(3), respectively. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:11 Apr 27, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7573.IH
H7573
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(ii) TREATMENT
OF
COSTS
FOR 
FQHC
PPS
CALCULATIONS
AND
RHC
AIR 
CALCULATIONS.—Costs associated with the 
delivery of telehealth services by a Feder-
ally qualified health center or rural health 
clinic serving as a distant site pursuant to 
this paragraph shall be considered allow-
able costs for purposes of the prospective 
payment system established under section 
1834(o) and any payment methodologies 
developed under section 1833(a)(3), as ap-
plicable.’’. 
SEC. 6. TELEHEALTH FLEXIBILITIES FOR CRITICAL ACCESS 
HOSPITALS. 
Section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 1395m(m)), as amended by section 4, is amend-
ed— 
(1) in the first sentence of paragraph (1), by 
striking ‘‘and (10)’’ and inserting ‘‘, (10), and 
(11)’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ‘‘paragraph 
(8)’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraphs (8) and (11)’’; 
(3) in paragraph (4)— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:11 Apr 27, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7573.IH
H7573
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
‘‘paragraph (8)’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraphs (8) 
and (11)’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (F)(i), by striking 
‘‘paragraph (8)’’ and inserting ‘‘paragraphs (8) 
and (11)’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(11) TELEHEALTH FLEXIBILITIES FOR CRIT-
ICAL ACCESS HOSPITALS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—During the period be-
ginning on the date of the enactment of this 
paragraph and ending on the date that is 2 
years after the end of the emergency period de-
scribed in section 1135(g)(1)(B), the following 
shall apply: 
‘‘(i) The Secretary shall pay for tele-
health services that are furnished via a 
telecommunications system by a critical ac-
cess hospital, including any practitioner 
authorized to provide such services within 
the facility, that is a qualified provider (as 
defined in subparagraph (B)) to an eligible 
telehealth individual enrolled under this 
part notwithstanding that the critical ac-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:11 Apr 27, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7573.IH
H7573
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
cess hospital providing the telehealth serv-
ice is not at the same location as the bene-
ficiary, if such services complement a plan 
of care that includes in-person care at 
some point, as may be appropriate. 
‘‘(ii) The amount of payment to a 
critical access hospital that serves as a dis-
tant site for such a telehealth service shall 
be determined under subparagraph (B). 
‘‘(iii) For purposes of this sub-
section— 
‘‘(I) the term ‘distant site’ in-
cludes a critical access hospital that 
furnishes a telehealth service to an eli-
gible telehealth individual; 
‘‘(II) the term ‘qualified provider’ 
means, with respect to a telehealth 
service described in clause (i) that is 
furnished to an eligible telehealth in-
dividual, a critical access hospital that 
has an established patient relationship 
with such individual as defined by the 
State in which the individual is lo-
cated; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:11 Apr 27, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7573.IH
H7573
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
‘‘(III) the term ‘telehealth serv-
ices’ includes behavioral health serv-
ices and any other outpatient critical 
access hospital service that is fur-
nished using telehealth to the extent 
that payment codes corresponding to 
services identified by the Secretary 
under clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph 
(4)(F) are listed on the corresponding 
claim for such critical access hospital 
service. 
‘‘(B) PAYMENT.—For purposes of sub-
paragraph (A)(ii), the amount of payment to a 
critical access hospital that serves as a distant 
site that furnishes a telehealth service to an eli-
gible telehealth individual under this paragraph 
shall be equal to 101 percent of the reasonable 
costs of the hospital in providing such services, 
unless the hospital makes an election under 
paragraph (2) of section 1834(g) to be paid for 
such services based on the methodology de-
scribed in such paragraph. Telehealth services 
furnished by a critical access hospital shall be 
counted for purposes of determining the pro-
vider productivity rate of the critical access hos-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:11 Apr 27, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7573.IH
H7573
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
pital for purposes of payment under such sec-
tion. 
‘‘(C) IMPLEMENTATION.—Notwithstanding 
any other provision of law, the Secretary may 
implement this paragraph through program in-
struction, interim final rule, or otherwise.’’. 
SEC. 7. USE OF TELEHEALTH FOR THE DISPENSING OF 
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES BY MEANS OF 
THE INTERNET. 
Section 309(e)(2) of the Controlled Substances Act 
(21 U.S.C. 829(e)(2)) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A)(i)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘at least 1 in-person med-
ical evaluation’’ and inserting the following: ‘‘at 
least— 
‘‘(I) 1 in-person medical evalua-
tion’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(II) during the period beginning 
on the date of the enactment of this 
subclause and ending on the date that 
is 2 years after the end of the emer-
gency period described in section 
1135(g)(1)(B) of the Social Security 
Act (42 U.S.C. 1320b–5(g)(1)(B)), 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:11 Apr 27, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7573.IH
H7573
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
for purposes of prescribing a con-
trolled substance in schedules II 
through V, 1 telehealth evaluation; 
or’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(D)(i) The term ‘telehealth evaluation’ 
means a medical evaluation that is conducted in 
accordance with applicable Federal and State 
laws by a practitioner (other than a phar-
macist) who is at a location remote from the 
patient and is communicating with the patient 
using a telecommunications system referred to 
in section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act 
(42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)) that includes, at a min-
imum, audio and video equipment permitting 
two-way, real-time interactive communication 
between the patient and distant site practi-
tioner. 
‘‘(ii) Nothing in clause (i) shall be con-
strued to imply that 1 telehealth evaluation 
demonstrates that a prescription has been 
issued for a legitimate medical purpose within 
the usual course of professional practice. 
‘‘(iii) A practitioner who prescribes the 
drugs or combination of drugs that are covered 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:11 Apr 27, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7573.IH
H7573
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
under section 303(g)(2)(C) using the authority 
under subparagraph (A)(i)(II) of this para-
graph shall adhere to nationally recognized evi-
dence-based guidelines for the treatment of pa-
tients with opioid use disorders and a diversion 
control plan, as those terms are defined in sec-
tion 8.2 of title 42, Code of Federal Regula-
tions, as in effect on the date of enactment of 
this subparagraph.’’. 
SEC. 8. STUDY ON THE EFFECTS OF CHANGES TO TELE-
HEALTH UNDER THE MEDICARE AND MED-
ICAID PROGRAMS DURING THE COVID–19 
EMERGENCY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health 
and Human Services (in this section referred to as the 
‘‘Secretary’’) shall conduct a study and submit to the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee 
on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Finance of the Senate an interim report 
on any changes made to the provision or availability of 
telehealth services under part A or B of title XVIII of 
the Social Security Act (including by reason of the amend-
ments made to the Controlled Substances Act under sec-
tion 7) since the start of the emergency period described 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:11 Apr 27, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7573.IH
H7573
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
in section 1135(g)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 1320b–5(g)(1)(B)). Such report shall include the 
following: 
(1) A summary of utilization of all health care 
services furnished under such part A or B during 
such emergency period, including the number of tele-
health visits (broken down by service type, the num-
ber of such visits furnished via audio-visual tech-
nology, the number of such visits furnished via 
audio-only technology, and the number of such visits 
furnished by a Federally qualified health center, 
rural health clinic, or community health center, re-
spectively, if practicable), in-person outpatient visits, 
inpatient admissions, and emergency department vis-
its. 
(2) A description of any changes in utilization 
patterns for the care settings described in paragraph 
(1) over the course of such emergency period com-
pared to such patterns prior to such emergency pe-
riod. 
(3) An analysis of utilization of telehealth serv-
ices under such part A or B during such emergency 
period, broken down by race and ethnicity, geo-
graphic region, and income level (as measured di-
rectly or indirectly, such as by patient’s zip code tab-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:11 Apr 27, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7573.IH
H7573
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
ulation area median income as publicly reported by 
the United States Census Bureau), and of any 
trends in such utilization during such emergency pe-
riod, so broken down. Such analysis may not include 
any personally identifiable information or protected 
health information. 
(4) A description of expenditures and any sav-
ings under such part A or B attributable to use of 
such telehealth services during such emergency pe-
riod. 
(5) A description of any instances of fraud 
identified by the Secretary, acting through the Office 
of the Inspector General or other relevant agencies 
and departments, with respect to such telehealth 
services furnished under such part A or B during 
such emergency period and a comparison of the 
number of such instances with the number of in-
stances of fraud so identified with respect to in-per-
son services so furnished during such emergency pe-
riod. 
(6) A description of any privacy concerns with 
respect to the furnishing of such telehealth services 
(such as cybersecurity or ransomware concerns), in-
cluding a description of any actions taken by the 
Secretary, acting through the Health Sector Cyber-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:11 Apr 27, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00018
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7573.IH
H7573
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
security Coordination Center or other relevant agen-
cies and departments, during such emergency period 
to assist health care providers secure telecommuni-
cations systems. 
(7) Identification of common ICD–10 codes 
billed via telehealth, comparing measures of quality 
and outcomes between telehealth care and in-person 
care for the same category of service. 
(8) Recommendations regarding the perma-
nency of the waivers and authorities under the provi-
sions of, and amendments made by, this Act. 
(b) CONSULTATION.—In conducting the study and 
submitting the report under subsection (a), the Sec-
retary— 
(1) shall consult with— 
(A) the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and 
Access Commission; 
(B) the Medicare Payment Advisory Com-
mission; 
(C) the Office of Inspector General of the 
Department of Health and Human Services; 
and 
(D) other stakeholders determined appro-
priate by the Secretary, such as patients, tribal 
communities, medical professionals, health fa-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:11 Apr 27, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7573.IH
H7573
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
cilities, State medical boards, State nursing 
boards, telehealth providers, health professional 
liability providers, public and private payers, 
and State leaders; and 
(2) shall endeavor to include as many racially, 
ethnically, geographically, and professionally diverse 
perspectives as possible. 
(c) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after 
the end of the emergency period described in section 
1135(g)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
1320b–5(g)(1)(B)), the Secretary shall— 
(1) update and finalize the interim report under 
subsection (a); and 
(2) submit such updated and finalized report to 
the committees specified in such subsection. 
(d) GRANTS FOR MEDICAID REPORTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than January 1, 
2023, the Secretary shall award grants to States 
with a State plan (or waiver of such plan) in effect 
under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 1396r) that submit an application under this 
subsection for purposes of enabling such States to 
study and submit reports to the Secretary on any 
changes made to the provision or availability of tele-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:11 Apr 27, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7573.IH
H7573
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
health services under such plans (or such waivers) 
during such period. 
(2) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible to receive a 
grant under paragraph (1), a State shall— 
(A) provide benefits for telehealth services 
under the State plan (or waiver of such plan) 
in effect under title XIX of the Social Security 
Act (42 U.S.C. 1396r); 
(B) be able to differentiate telehealth from 
in-person visits within claims data submitted 
under such plan (or such waiver) during such 
period; and 
(C) submit to the Secretary an application 
at such time, in such manner, and containing 
such information (including the amount of the 
grant requested) as the Secretary may require. 
(3) USE
OF
FUNDS.—A State shall use 
amounts received under a grant under this sub-
section to conduct a study and report findings re-
garding the effects of changes to telehealth services 
offered under the State plan (or waiver of such plan) 
of such State under title XIX of the Social Security 
Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) during such period in 
accordance with paragraph (4). 
(4) REPORTS.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:11 Apr 27, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00021
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7573.IH
H7573
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
(A) INTERIM REPORT.—Not later 1 year 
after the date a State receives a grant under 
this subsection, the State shall submit to the 
Secretary an interim report that— 
(i) details any changes made to the 
provision or availability of telehealth bene-
fits (such as eligibility, coverage, or pay-
ment changes) under the State plan (or 
waiver of such plan) of the State under 
title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) during the emergency 
period described in paragraph (1); and 
(ii) contains— 
(I) a summary and description of 
the type described in paragraphs (1) 
and (2), respectively, of subsection 
(a); and 
(II) to the extent practicable, an 
analysis of the type described in para-
graph (3) of subsection (a), 
except that any reference in such sub-
section to ‘‘such part A or B’’ shall, for 
purposes of subclauses (I) and (II), be 
treated as a reference to such State plan 
(or waiver). 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:11 Apr 27, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7573.IH
H7573
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
(B) FINAL
REPORT.—Not later than 3 
years after the date a State receives a grant 
under this subsection, the State shall update 
and finalize the interim report and submit such 
final report to the Secretary. 
(C) REPORT
BY
SECRETARY.—Not later 
than the earlier of the date that is 1 year after 
the submission of all final reports under sub-
paragraph (B) and December 31, 2027, the 
Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on 
the grant program, including a summary of the 
reports received from States under this para-
graph. 
(5) MODIFICATION AUTHORITY.—The Secretary 
may modify any deadline described in paragraph (4) 
or any information required to be included in a re-
port made under this subsection to provide flexibility 
for States to modify the scope of the study and 
timeline for such reports. 
(6) TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary 
shall provide such technical assistance as may be 
necessary to a State receiving a grant under this 
subsection in order to assist such State in con-
ducting studies and submitting reports under this 
subsection. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:11 Apr 27, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00023
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H7573.IH
H7573
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
(7) STATE.—For purposes of this subsection, 
the term ‘‘State’’ means each of the several States, 
the District of Columbia, and each territory of the 
United States. 
(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— 
(1) MEDICARE.—For the purpose of carrying 
out subsections (a) through (c), there are authorized 
to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary 
for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026. 
(2) MEDICAID.—For the purpose of carrying 
out subsection (d), there are authorized to be appro-
priated such sums as may be necessary for each of 
fiscal years 2023 through 2027. 
SEC. 9. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR AUDIO-ONLY TELE-
HEALTH SERVICES UNDER THE MEDICARE 
PROGRAM. 
Paragraph (9) of section 1834(m) of the Social Secu-
rity Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)) is amended by striking 
‘‘151-day period’’ and inserting ‘‘2-year period’’. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
02:11 Apr 27, 2022
Jkt 029200
PO 00000
Frm 00024
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H7573.IH
H7573
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS