TREATS Act

Bill: 117-s-340
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Introduced: 2021-02-22
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Drug therapy

Drug trafficking and controlled substances

Drug, alcohol, tobacco use

Health technology, devices, supplies

Internet and video services

Internet, web applications, social media

Medical tests and diagnostic methods

Medicare

Mental health

Prescription drugs

Telephone and wireless communication
Latest action: action_date: 2021-02-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-02-22
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Telehealth Response for E-prescribing Addiction Therapy Services Act or the TREATS Act</b></p> <p>This bill modifies requirements relating to coverage of certain telehealth services under Medicare. Specifically, the bill permanently allows telehealth services for substance-use disorders and mental health disorders to be provided via audio-only technology, if a physician or practitioner has already conducted an in-person or video telehealth evaluation. Schedule III or IV controlled substances may also be prescribed online if a practitioner has conducted a telehealth evaluation with video.</p>

tv_txt: II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 340 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 22, 2021 Mr. Portman (for himself and Mr. Whitehouse ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions A BILL To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to increase the use of telehealth for substance use disorder treatment and mental health services, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Telehealth Response for E-prescribing Addiction Therapy Services Act or TREATS Act . 2. Telehealth for substance use disorder treatment and mental health services (a) Substance use disorder services and mental health services furnished through telehealth under Medicare (1) In general Section 1834(m)(7)(A) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(7)(A) ) is amended by adding at the end the following: With respect to telehealth services described in the preceding sentence that are furnished to an eligible telehealth individual with a substance use disorder diagnosis for purposes of treatment of such disorder or co-occurring mental health disorder on or after the date of the enactment of the Telehealth Response for E-prescribing Addiction Therapy Services Act , or, subject to subparagraph (B), that are furnished to an eligible telehealth individual for purposes of diagnosis, evaluation, or treatment of a mental health disorder, on or after the first day after the end of the emergency period described in section 1135(g)(1)(B), nothing shall preclude the furnishing of such services through audio or telephone only technologies in the case where a physician or practitioner has already conducted an in-person medical evaluation or a telehealth evaluation that utilizes both audio and visual capabilities with the eligible telehealth individual. . (2) Implementation The Secretary of Health and Human Services may implement this subsection by program instruction or otherwise. (b) Controlled substances dispensed by means of the internet Section 309(e)(2) of the Controlled Substances Act ( 21 U.S.C. 829(e)(2) ) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (A)(i)— (A) by striking at least 1 in-person medical evaluation and inserting the following: at least— (I) 1 in-person medical evaluation ; and (B) by adding at the end the following: (II) for purposes of prescribing a controlled substance in schedule III or IV, 1 telehealth evaluation; or ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (D) (i) The term telehealth evaluation means a medical evaluation that is conducted in accordance with applicable Federal and State laws by a practitioner (other than a pharmacist) who is at a location remote from the patient and is communicating with the patient using a telecommunications system referred to in section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m) ) that includes, at a minimum, audio and video equipment permitting two-way, real-time interactive communication between the patient and distant site practitioner. (ii) Nothing in clause (i) shall be construed to imply that 1 telehealth evaluation demonstrates that a prescription has been issued for a legitimate medical purpose within the usual course of professional practice. (iii) A practitioner who prescribes the drugs or combination of drugs that are covered under section 303(g)(2)(C) using the authority under subparagraph (A)(i)(II) of this paragraph shall adhere to nationally recognized evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of patients with opioid use disorders and a diversion control plan, as those terms are defined in section 8.2 of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of enactment of this subparagraph. .