To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to remove in-person requirements under Medicare for mental health services furnished through telehealth and telecommunications technology.

Bill: 119-hr-1867
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Hern, Kevin [R-OK-1]
Introduced: 2025-03-05
Policy area: Health
Latest action: action_date: 2025-03-05
text: 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.

Summaries:

tv_txt: I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1867 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 5, 2025 Mr. Hern of Oklahoma (for himself, Mr. Suozzi , Mr. Fitzpatrick , Ms. Lee of Nevada , and Ms. Malliotakis ) 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 remove in-person requirements under Medicare for mental health services furnished through telehealth and telecommunications technology.

1. Removing the in-person requirements under Medicare for mental health services furnished through telehealth and telecommunications technology (a) In general Section 1834(m)(7) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(7) ) is amended to read as follows: (7) Treatment of substance use disorder services and mental health services furnished through telehealth The geographic requirements described in paragraph (4)(C)(i) shall not apply with respect to telehealth services furnished on or after July 1, 2020, to an eligible telehealth individual with a substance use disorder diagnosis for purposes of treatment of such disorder or co-occurring mental health disorder, as determined by the Secretary, or, on or after the first day after the end of the emergency period described in section 1135(g)(1)(B), to an eligible telehealth individual for purposes of diagnosis, evaluation, or treatment of a mental health disorder, as determined by the Secretary, at an originating site described in paragraph (4)(C)(ii) (other than an originating site described in subclause (IX) of such paragraph) or, for the period for which clause (iii) of paragraph (4)(C) applies, at any site described in such clause. . (b) 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 April 1, 2025 . (c) 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 April 1, 2025 .