Telemental Health Care Access Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-4058
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-6]
Introduced: 2021-06-22
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: 2021-06-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-06-22
action_desc: Introduced in House
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: I 117th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4058 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 22, 2021 Ms. Matsui (for herself and Mr. Johnson of Ohio ) 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 ensure coverage of mental and behavioral 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 and behavioral 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) by striking mental health services and all that follows through The geographic and inserting mental and behavioral health services furnished through telehealth. —The geographic ; (2) by striking subject to subparagraph (B), ; (3) by inserting , or for the provision of behavioral health services after or treatment of a mental health disorder ; and (4) 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 and behavioral 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 and behavioral 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.