Permanency for Audio-Only Telehealth Act

Bill: 117-hr-3447
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Smith, Jason [R-MO-8]
Introduced: 2021-05-20
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Health care coverage and access

Health technology, devices, supplies

Medical tests and diagnostic methods

Medicare

Musculoskeletal and skin diseases
Latest action: action_date: 2021-05-21
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-05-20
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Permanency for Audio-Only Telehealth Act</b></p> <p>This bill expands coverage of telehealth services under Medicare. Specifically, the bill permanently removes geographic restrictions on originating sites (i.e., the location of the beneficiary). It also permanently expands coverage to include audio-only services for evaluation and management and behavioral health services; beneficiaries must have received in-person or video services during the preceding three-year period.</p>

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3447 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 20, 2021 Mr. Smith of Missouri (for himself and Mr. Gottheimer ) 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 a qualified provider (as defined in clause (ii)) furnishing a specified telehealth service (as defined in such clause) to an individual, a communications system consisting only of audio capabilities, but only if such individual elects to use such system in lieu of a communications system providing both audio and visual capabilities. (ii) Definitions For purposes of clause (i): (I) Qualified provider The term qualified provider means, with respect to a telehealth service furnished to an individual, a physician or practitioner who— (aa) furnished to such individual an item or service (other than such telehealth service) in-person, or through a communications system consisting of both audio and visual capabilities, during the 3-year period ending on the date such telehealth service was furnished; or (bb) is in the same practice (as determined by tax identification number) of a physician or practitioner described in item (aa). (II) Specified telehealth service The term specified telehealth service means a telehealth service consisting of— (aa) evaluation and management services; (bb) mental and behavioral health services; (cc) substance use disorder services; or (dd) any other service specified by the Secretary. Such term does not include communication of lab results from a physician or practitioner to an individual via a telecommunications system unless such communication involves a diagnosis of such individual based on such results or the prescription, or modification of a prescription, of a drug based on such results. . (b) Nonapplication of originating site requirements with respect to telehealth services under Medicare program Section 1834(m)(4)(C) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(4)(C) ) is amended— (1) in clause (i), by inserting before paragraphs (5), (6), and (7) the following: clause (iii) and ; and (2) by adding at the end the following new clause: (iii) Nonapplication of originating site requirements Beginning on the first day of the emergency period described in section 1135(g)(1)(B), the term originating site means any site at which the eligible telehealth individual is located at the time the service is furnished via a telecommunications system. . (c) Effective date The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to telehealth services furnished after the last 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) ).