Telemental Health Care Access Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2061
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
Introduced: 2021-06-15
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Accounting and auditing

Congressional oversight

Fraud offenses and financial crimes

Government studies and investigations

Health care coverage and access

Health programs administration and funding

Health technology, devices, supplies

Internet and video services

Internet, web applications, social media

Medicare

Mental health
Latest action: action_date: 2021-06-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-06-15
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Telemental Health Care Access Act of 2021</b></p> <p>This bill eliminates certain restrictions relating to Medicare coverage of mental health services that are provided through telehealth. </p> <p>Current law allows for coverage of such services regardless of the geographic location of the originating site (i.e., the location of the beneficiary) after the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, as long as the beneficiary previously received in-person services and continues to receive in-person services at specified intervals. The bill eliminates these in-person requirements.</p>

tv_txt: II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2061 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 15, 2021 Mr. Cassidy (for himself, Ms. Smith , Mr. Cardin , and Mr. Thune ) 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 ensure coverage of mental health services furnished through telehealth.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Telemental Health Care Access Act of 2021 . 2. Ensuring coverage for mental health services furnished through telehealth (a) In general Section 1834(m)(7) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(7) ) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking subject to subparagraph (B), ; (2) by striking (A) In general .—The geographic and inserting The geographic ; and (3) by striking subparagraph (B). (b) Effective date The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect as if included in the enactment of section 123 of division CC of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 ( Public Law 116–260 ). 3. Study and report on utilization of mental health services furnished through telehealth Not later than 1 year after the first day after the end 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) ), the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall submit to Congress a report on the utilization of mental health services furnished through telehealth under section 1834(m)(7) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(7) ), that includes any recommendations of the Secretary regarding— (1) fraud or abuse prevention with respect to such services; and (2) additional funding that the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services may require for purposes of conducting audits, investigations, and other oversight and enforcement activities with respect to the furnishing of such services.