Audio-Only Telehealth for Emergencies Act

Bill: 118-s-729
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
Introduced: 2023-03-09
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Emergency medical services and trauma care

Health care coverage and access

Health technology, devices, supplies

Infectious and parasitic diseases

Medicare

Sound recording
Latest action: action_date: 2023-03-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Summaries:
action_date: 2023-03-09
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Audio-Only Telehealth for Emergencies Act</b></p> <p>This bill requires Medicare to cover audio-only telehealth services during national emergencies. Payment for such services must be made at the same rate as for in-person services. The bill applies to services provided on or after January 1, 2025.</p>

tv_txt: II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 729 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 9, 2023 Mr. Kennedy 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 provide for the waiver of certain telehealth requirements to permit reimbursement for audio-only telehealth services under the Medicare program during emergency declarations.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Audio-Only Telehealth for Emergencies Act . 2. Waiver of certain telehealth requirements to permit reimbursement for audio-only telehealth services under the Medicare program during emergency declarations Section 1834(m)(9) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(9) ) is amended— (1) by striking The Secretary and inserting (A) During COVID–19 PHE .—The Secretary ; and (2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (B) Ongoing authority (i) In general With respect to telehealth services furnished on or after January 1, 2025, the Secretary shall waive the requirements of paragraph (1) and section 410.78(a)(3) of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation), relating to the use of interactive telecommunications systems to furnish telehealth services, to the extent such provisions require the use of video technology, to allow for the furnishing of telehealth services using audio-only technology, as determined appropriate by the Secretary, with respect to such services furnished in any geographical area in which, and any period during which, there exists— (I) an emergency or disaster declared by the President pursuant to the National Emergencies Act or the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act; or (II) a public health emergency declared by the Secretary pursuant to section 319 of the Public Health Service Act. (ii) Payment parity The Secretary shall provide that any telehealth service furnished using audio-only technology pursuant to a waiver under this subparagraph is reimbursed at the same rate at which the service would be reimbursed if furnished in person. .