Advancing Access to Telehealth Act

Bill: 118-hr-7711
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]
Introduced: 2024-03-19
Policy area: Health
Latest action: action_date: 2024-12-17
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Summaries:
action_date: 2024-03-19
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Advancing Access to Telehealth Act</strong></p><p>This bill modifies requirements relating to coverage of telehealth services under Medicare.</p><p>Specifically, the bill permanently&nbsp;extends certain flexibilities that were initially authorized during the public health emergency relating to COVID-19. Among other things, the bill allows (1) rural health clinics and federally qualified health centers to serve as the distant site (i.e., the location of the health care practitioner); (2) the home of a beneficiary to serve as the originating site (i.e., the location of the beneficiary) for all services (rather than for only certain services); and (3) audiologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists to furnish telehealth services.<br/><br/></p>

tv_txt: I 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7711 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 19, 2024 Mrs. Dingell (for herself and Mr. Bergman ) 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 make permanent certain telehealth flexibilities under the Medicare program.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Advancing Access to Telehealth Act . 2. Making permanent certain telehealth flexibilities under Medicare (a) Expanded access to telehealth services Section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (2)(B)(iii), by striking In the case that and all that follows through ending December 31, 2024, and inserting With respect to telehealth services that are furnished on or after the first day of the emergency period described in section 1135(g)(1)(B), ; and (2) in paragraph (4)(C)(iii), by striking In the case that and all that follows through ending on December 31, 2024, and inserting With respect to telehealth services that are furnished on or after the first day of the emergency period described in section 1135(g)(1)(B), . (b) Expansion of practitioners eligible To furnish telehealth services Section 1834(m)(4)(E) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(4)(E) ) is amended by striking in the case that and all that follows through ending on December 31, 2024, and inserting beginning on the first day of the emergency period described in section 1135(g)(1)(B), . (c) Extension of telehealth services furnished by Federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics Section 1834(m)(8)(A) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(8)(A) ) is amended by striking During the emergency and all that follows through ending on December 31, 2024 and inserting Beginning on the first day of the emergency period described in section 1135(g)(1)(B) . (d) Treatment of telehealth services furnished using audio-Only telecommunications technology Section 1834(m)(9) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(9) ) is amended— (1) by striking In the case that and all that follows through the Secretary shall continue to and inserting The Secretary shall ; (2) by striking identified in paragraph (4)(F)(i) as of the date of the enactment of this paragraph ; and (3) by striking during the period and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting on or after the first day of the emergency period described in section 1135(g)(1)(B). . (e) Elimination of in-Person requirements under Medicare for certain services furnished through telehealth (1) Home dialysis monthly ESRD-related visit; stroke telehealth services; substance use disorder services and mental health services (A) In general Section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m) ) is amended by striking paragraphs (5) through (7) and redesignating paragraphs (8) and (9) as paragraphs (5) and (6), accordingly. (B) Conforming changes Section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m) ) is amended— (i) in paragraph (1), by striking Subject to paragraphs (8) and (9) and inserting Subject to paragraphs (5) and (6) ; (ii) in paragraph (2)— (I) in subparagraph (A), by striking Subject to paragraph (8) and inserting Subject to paragraph (5) ; and (II) in subparagraph (B), by striking and paragraph (6)(C) ; and (iii) in paragraph (4)— (I) in subparagraph (A), by striking Subject to paragraph (8) and inserting Subject to paragraph (5) ; (II) in subparagraph (C)— (aa) in clause (i), by striking and paragraphs (5), (6), and (7) ; and (bb) in clause (ii)(X), by striking or telehealth services described in paragraph (7) ; and (III) in subparagraph (F), by striking Subject to paragraph (8) and inserting Subject to paragraph (5) . (2) Mental health visits furnished by Federally qualified health centers Section 1834(o)(4)(B) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(o)(4)(B) ) is amended by striking prior to and all that follows through described in section 1135(g)(1)(B)) . (3) Mental health visits furnished by rural health clinics Section 1834(y)(2) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(y)(2) ) is amended by striking prior to and all that follows through described in section 1135(g)(1)(B)) .