Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID–19 Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-4040
Sponsor: Rep. Cheney, Liz [R-WY-At Large]
Introduced: 2021-06-22 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Health care coverage and access
Health facilities and institutions
Health personnel
Health technology, devices, supplies
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Medicare
Mental health
Rural conditions and development
Sound recording

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-22
text: 

Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act of 2021

 
This bill makes permanent several telehealth flexibilities under Medicare that were initially authorized during the public health emergency relating to COVID-19. 
 
Specifically, the bill permanently allows (1) federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics to serve as the distant site (i.e., the location of the health care practitioner); (2) beneficiaries to receive telehealth services at any site, regardless of type or location; (3) any type of practitioner to furnish telehealth services, subject to approval by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; and (4) audio-only evaluation and management and behavioral health services.

action_date: 2022-07-27
text: 

Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act of 

2022

 
 
This bill modifies the extension of certain Medicare telehealth flexibilities after the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
 
Specifically, the bill provides that certain flexibilities continue to apply until December 31, 2024, if the emergency period ends before that date. The bill allows 
 
 
beneficiaries to continue to receive telehealth services at any site, regardless of type or location (e.g., the beneficiary's home); 
 
occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, and audiologists to continue to furnish telehealth services;
 
 federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics to continue to serve as the distant site (i.e., the location of the health care practitioner);
 
evaluation and management and behavioral health services to continue to be provided via audio-only technology; and
 
hospice physicians and nurse practitioners to continue to complete certain requirements relating to patient recertifications via telehealth.
 
 
The bill also delays implementation of certain in-person evaluation requirements for mental health telehealth services until January 1, 2025, or the first day after the end of the emergency period, whichever is later. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-07-28
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2022-07-27
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2022-07-27
text: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 416 - 12 (Roll no. 400). (text: CR H7189-7190)
action_date: 2022-07-27
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 416 - 12 (Roll no. 400).(text: CR H7189-7190)
action_date: 2022-07-27
text: On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 205 - 221 (Roll no. 399).
action_date: 2022-07-27
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7221-7223)
action_date: 2022-07-27
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - The Chair put the question on the Schweikert motion to recommit and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Schweikert demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the motion to recommit until a time to be announced.
action_date: 2022-07-27
text: The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
action_date: 2022-07-27
text: Mr. Schweikert moved to recommit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2022-07-27
text: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
action_date: 2022-07-27
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 4040.
action_date: 2022-07-27
text: Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 263 and H.R. 4040. Resolution provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill. H. Res. 517 is considered adopted.
action_date: 2022-07-27
text: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1256. (consideration: CR H7189-7197)
action_date: 2022-07-27
text: Rule H. Res. 1256 passed House.
action_date: 2022-07-26
text: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1256 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 263 and H.R. 4040. Resolution provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill. H. Res. 517 is considered adopted.
action_date: 2021-06-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2021-06-22
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2021-06-22
text: 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.
action_date: 2021-06-22
text: 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.
action_date: 2021-06-22
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-06-22
text: Introduced in House