I 
117TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 8497 
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to remove in-person require-
ments under Medicare for mental health services furnished through tele-
health and telecommunications technology. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 26, 2022 
Mr. HERN (for himself, Mr. CURTIS, and Mr. BACON) 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 sub-
sequently 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 telecommuni-
cations technology. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
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SECTION 1. REMOVING THE IN-PERSON REQUIREMENTS 
UNDER MEDICARE FOR MENTAL HEALTH 
SERVICES 
FURNISHED 
THROUGH 
TELE-
HEALTH AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS TECH-
NOLOGY. 
(a) REMOVING
IN-PERSON
REQUIREMENTS
FOR 
MENTAL
HEALTH
SERVICES
FURNISHED
THROUGH 
TELEHEALTH.—Section 1834(m)(7) of the Social Secu-
rity Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(7)) is amended to read as 
follows: 
‘‘(7) TREATMENT
OF
SUBSTANCE
USE
DIS-
ORDER SERVICES AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES 
FURNISHED
THROUGH
TELEHEALTH.—The geo-
graphic 
requirements 
described 
in 
paragraph 
(4)(C)(i) shall not apply with respect to telehealth 
services furnished on or after July 1, 2019, to an el-
igible telehealth individual with a substance use dis-
order diagnosis for purposes of treatment of such 
disorder or co-occurring mental health disorder, as 
determined by the Secretary, or, on or after the first 
day after the end of the emergency period described 
in section 1135(g)(1)(B), to an eligible telehealth in-
dividual for purposes of diagnosis, evaluation, or 
treatment of a mental health disorder, as determined 
by the Secretary, at an originating site described in 
paragraph (4)(C)(ii) (other than an originating site 
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described in subclause (IX) of such paragraph) or, 
for the period for which clause (iii) of paragraph 
(4)(C) applies, at any site described in such clause.’’. 
(b) MENTAL HEALTH VISITS FURNISHED BY RURAL 
HEALTH CLINICS.—Section 1834(y) of the Social Security 
Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(y)) is amended— 
(1) in the heading, by striking ‘‘TO HOSPICE 
PATIENTS’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘prior to the 
day that is the 152nd day after the end of the emer-
gency period described in section 1135(g)(1)(B))’’. 
(c) MENTAL HEALTH VISITS FURNISHED BY FEDER-
ALLY
QUALIFIED
HEALTH
CENTERS.—Section 
1834(o)(4) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
1395m(o)(4) is amended— 
(1) in the heading, by striking ‘‘TO HOSPICE 
PATIENTS’’; and 
(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘prior to 
the day that is the 152nd day after the end of the 
emergency 
period 
described 
in 
section 
1135(g)(1)(B))’’. 
Æ 
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