Improving Telehealth for Underserved Communities Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-3998
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS]
Introduced: 2020-06-18
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health

Emergency medical services and trauma care

Health care coverage and access

Health facilities and institutions

Health technology, devices, supplies

Infectious and parasitic diseases

Internet and video services

Internet, web applications, social media

Medicare

Rural conditions and development
Latest action: action_date: 2020-06-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Summaries:
action_date: 2020-06-18
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Improving Telehealth for Underserved Communities Act of 2020</b></p> <p>This bill establishes a particular Medicare payment methodology for telehealth services furnished by federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics during the public health emergency relating to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the bill requires payments to be made in accordance with the same methodology that is used for non-telehealth services, rather than in accordance with a separate methodology determined by the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services.</p>

tv_txt: II 116th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 3998 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 18, 2020 Mrs. Hyde-Smith (for herself and Mr. King ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to simplify payments for telehealth services furnished by Federally qualified health centers or rural health clinics under the Medicare program, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Improving Telehealth for Underserved Communities Act of 2020 . 2. Simplifying payments for telehealth services furnished by Federally qualified health centers or rural health clinics (a) In general Section 1834(m)(8)(B) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(8)(B) ) is amended to read as follows: (B) Payment The Secretary shall pay to a Federally qualified health center or rural health clinic serving as a distant site that furnishes a telehealth service to an eligible telehealth individual an amount equal to the amount that such Federally qualified health center or rural health clinic would have been paid under the payment methodology described in section 1834(o) or section 1833(a)(3), respectively, had such service been furnished without the use of a telecommunications system. Costs associated with the delivery of such services by a Federally qualified health center or rural health clinic serving as a distant site pursuant to this paragraph shall be considered allowable costs for purposes of the payment methodologies described in the previous sentence. . (b) Effective date The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to payments for telehealth services furnished on or after the first day 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) ). 3. Increasing limits on payment for rural health clinic services Section 1833(f) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395l(f) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1), by striking , and and inserting a semicolon; (2) in paragraph (2)— (A) by inserting (before 2020) after subsequent year ; and (B) by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: (3) in 2020, at $92.03 per visit; and (4) in a subsequent year, at the limit established under this subsection for the previous year increased by the percentage increase in the MEI (as so defined) applicable to primary care services (as so defined) furnished as of the first day of that year. .