Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID–19 Act of 2020

Bill: 116-hr-7338
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Cheney, Liz [R-WY-At Large]
Introduced: 2020-06-25
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health

Civil actions and liability

Emergency medical services and trauma care

Fraud offenses and financial crimes

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: 2020-06-25
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: 2020-06-25
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act of 2020</b></p> <p>This bill modifies requirements relating to coverage of telehealth services under Medicare. Among other things, the bill authorizes the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services to generally waive coverage restrictions at any time and for any area. The bill also permanently allows federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics to serve as the distant site (i.e., the location of the health care practitioner) for telehealth services.</p>

tv_txt: I 116th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7338 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 25, 2020 Ms. Cheney (for herself, Mr. Smith of Missouri , Mr. Gianforte , and Mr. Kustoff of Tennessee ) 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 permit the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive requirements relating to the furnishing of telehealth services under the Medicare program, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID–19 Act of 2020 . 2. Permitting the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive requirements relating to the furnishing of telehealth services under the Medicare program 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: (9) Authority to waive telehealth requirements Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, the Secretary may waive any such provision for any area and time period specified by the Secretary. . 3. Making permanent the ability of federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics to furnish telehealth services under the Medicare program Section 1834(m)(8) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(8) ) is amended— (1) in the header, by striking during emergency period ; (2) in subparagraph (A), in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking During and inserting Beginning on the first day of ; and (3) in subparagraph (B)(i), by striking during such emergency period . 4. Clarification for fraud and abuse laws regarding technologies provided to beneficiaries Section 1128A(i)(6) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a–7a(i)(6)) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (I), by striking ; or and inserting a semicolon; (2) in subparagraph (J), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or ; and (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (K) the provision of technologies (as defined by the Secretary) on or after the date of the enactment of this subparagraph, by a provider of services or supplier (as such terms are defined for purposes of title XVIII) directly to an individual who is entitled to benefits under part A of title XVIII, enrolled under part B of such title, or both, for the purpose of furnishing telehealth services, remote patient monitoring services, or other services furnished through the use of technology (as defined by the Secretary), if— (i) the technologies are not offered as part of any advertisement or solicitation; and (ii) the provision of the technologies meets any other requirements set forth in regulations promulgated by the Secretary. .