Permanency for Audio-Only Telehealth Act

Bill: 116-hr-9035
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Smith, Jason [R-MO-8]
Introduced: 2020-12-18
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Health care coverage and access

Health technology, devices, supplies

Internet and video services

Internet, web applications, social media

Medicare

Mental health

Telephone and wireless communication
Latest action: action_date: 2020-12-18
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.

Summaries:
action_date: 2020-12-18
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Permanency for Audio-Only Telehealth Act</b></p> <p>This bill permanently expands Medicare coverage of telehealth services to include audio-only services and at-home evaluation and management services and mental and behavioral health services.</p>

tv_txt: I 116th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 9035 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES December 18, 2020 Mr. Smith of Missouri (for himself and Mr. Cárdenas ) 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 accessibility to certain telehealth services under the Medicare program.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Permanency for Audio-Only Telehealth Act . 2. Expanding accessibility to certain telehealth services under the Medicare program (a) Use of audio-Only telecommunications systems for certain services Section 1834(m)(4) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(4) ) is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (G) Telecommunications system (i) In general The term telecommunications system includes, in the case of the furnishing of a specified telehealth service (as defined in clause (ii)), a communications system consisting only of audio capabilities. (ii) Specified telehealth service For purposes of clause (i), the term specified telehealth service means a telehealth service consisting of— (I) evaluation and management services; (II) mental and behavioral health services; (III) substance use disorder services; or (IV) any other service specified by the Secretary. . (b) Removing geographic restrictions and expanding the use of the home as an originating site for certain telehealth services Section 1834(m)(7) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(7) ) is amended— (1) in the header, by striking substance use disorder and inserting certain ; (2) by striking with respect to telehealth services and inserting the following: with respect to— (A) telehealth services ; (3) by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or ; and (4) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (B) telehealth services consisting of evaluation and management services or mental and behavioral health services furnished on or after the date of the enactment of this subparagraph to an eligible telehealth individual at an originating site described in paragraph (4)(C)(ii)(X). .