Evidence-Based Telehealth Expansion Act of 2017

Bill: 115-hr-3482
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Johnson, Bill [R-OH-6]
Introduced: 2017-07-27
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Health care quality

Health programs administration and funding

Health technology, devices, supplies

Medicare
Latest action: action_date: 2017-07-28
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Summaries:
action_date: 2017-07-27
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Evidence-Based Telehealth Expansion Act of 2017</b></p> <p>This bill authorizes the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services to waive certain requirements relating to coverage of telehealth services under Medicare (e.g., originating site requirements) if certain conditions are met.</p>

tv_txt: I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3482 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 27, 2017 Mr. Johnson of Ohio (for himself and Ms. Matsui ) 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 expand the use of telehealth under the Medicare program, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Evidence-Based Telehealth Expansion Act of 2017 . 2. Expanding the use of telehealth through the waiver of certain requirements Section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m) ) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (5) Authority to waive requirements and limitations if certain conditions met (A) In general In the case of telehealth services furnished on or after January 1, 2018, the Secretary may waive any restriction applicable to the coverage of telehealth services under this subsection described in subparagraph (B) with respect to certain providers of services, suppliers, provider groups, sites of care, services, conditions, individuals receiving the services, or States, as determined by the Secretary, if each of the requirements described in subparagraph (C) is met with respect to the waiver. (B) Restrictions described For purposes of this paragraph, restrictions applicable to the coverage of telehealth services under this subsection shall include requirements relating to qualifications for an originating site under paragraph (4)(C)(ii), any geographic limitations under paragraph (4)(C)(i) (other than applicable State law requirements, including State licensure requirements), any limitation on the use of store-and-forward technologies described in paragraph (1), any limitation on the type of health care provider who may furnish such services (other than the requirement that the provider is a Medicare-enrolled provider), or any limitation on specific codes designated as telehealth services that are covered under this title pursuant to this subsection (provided such codes are clinically appropriate to furnish remotely). (C) Requirements for waiver The requirements described in this subparagraph are, with respect to the waiver of a restriction described in subparagraph (B), the following: (i) The Secretary determines that the waiver is expected to— (I) reduce spending under this title without reducing the quality of care; or (II) improve the quality of patient care without increasing spending. (ii) The Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services certifies that such waiver would reduce (or would not result in any increase in) net program spending under this title. (iii) The Secretary determines that such waiver would not deny or limit the coverage or provision of benefits under this title for individuals. (D) Public comment The Secretary shall establish a process by which stakeholders may (on at least an annual basis) submit requests for a waiver under this paragraph. .