Rural Behavioral Health Access Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-2228
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Kildee, Daniel T. [D-MI-5]
Introduced: 2021-03-26
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Health care coverage and access

Health technology, devices, supplies

Home and outpatient care

Hospital care

Internet, web applications, social media

Medicare

Mental health

Rural conditions and development
Latest action: action_date: 2021-03-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-03-26
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Rural Behavioral Health Access Act of 2021</b></p> <p>This bill allows for Medicare payment of outpatient critical access hospital (CAH) services consisting of telehealth behavioral therapy, including (1) audio-only services, if an individual does not have access to technology with both audio and visual capabilities; and (2) services provided to an individual who has not received in-person care at the CAH, if there is a plan of care that includes an in-person visit not later than one year after telehealth services are provided.</p>

tv_txt: I 117th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2228 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 26, 2021 Mr. Kildee (for himself and Mr. Wenstrup ) 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 allow for payment of outpatient critical access hospital services furnished through telehealth under the Medicare program.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Rural Behavioral Health Access Act of 2021 . 2. Allowing for payment of outpatient critical access hospital services furnished through telehealth under the Medicare program (a) In general Notwithstanding section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m) ) and subject to subsection (b), the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide payment under section 1834(g) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(g) ) for outpatient critical access hospital services consisting of behavioral therapy services furnished by a critical access hospital to an individual on or after January 1, 2021, via telecommunications technology, notwithstanding the fact that such individual is not located at such hospital. (b) Initiation of services via telehealth In the case of an individual receiving services described in subsection (a) from a critical access hospital, if such individual has not, prior to receiving such services, received in-person care at such hospital, payment shall be made to such hospital in accordance with such subsection only if such services complement a plan of care that includes in-person care to be furnished at such hospital not later than 1 year after the date such services are furnished. (c) Definitions For purposes of this section: (1) Critical access hospital The term critical access hospital has the meaning given such term in section 1861(mm)(1) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395x(mm)(1) ). (2) Outpatient critical access hospital services The term outpatient critical access hospital services has the meaning given such term in section 1861(mm)(3) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395x(mm)(3) ). (3) Telecommunications technology The term telecommunications technology means a communications system permitting two-way, real-time interactive communication between the individuals and health care professional and includes a communications system consisting of only audio capabilities, but only if such individual does not have access to a communications system with audio-visual capabilities.