Ways and Means Committee, Energy and Commerce Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
This bill aims to make permanent several telehealth flexibilities under the Medicare program that were temporarily expanded during the public health emergency. It amends the Social Security Act to ensure that expanded access to telehealth services, the broader range of eligible practitioners, and the provision of telehealth services by Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics continue indefinitely from the emergency period's start date. A significant provision permanently allows for the treatment of telehealth services furnished using audio-only telecommunications technology , removing previous time limitations. The bill also eliminates certain in-person requirements for services such as home dialysis monthly ESRD-related visits, stroke telehealth services, substance use disorder services, and mental health services, including those provided by FQHCs and RHCs. Furthermore, the legislation makes permanent the use of telehealth for face-to-face encounters required for hospice care recertification , with specific exceptions for high-risk scenarios. It mandates the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish requirements for including specific codes or modifiers on claims for certain telehealth services by January 1, 2026, particularly those furnished via virtual platforms or incident to a professional service. The bill extends Acute Hospital Care at Home waiver flexibilities permanently and introduces new flexibilities for in-home cardiopulmonary rehabilitation , allowing these services to be furnished via real-time audio and video technology. It also requires the Secretary to issue guidance within one year on best practices for furnishing telehealth services to individuals with limited English proficiency , covering aspects like interpreter integration, accessible instructions, and multilingual materials. By January 1, 2026, the Secretary must revise regulations to allow entities to participate in the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) solely through online services, removing geographical barriers and enrollment limits. Additionally, the bill mandates education and outreach to Medicare practitioners by January 1, 2026, regarding periodic screening for medication-induced movement disorders via telehealth, including clinical guidelines and coding information.
Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better
Timeline
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H775)
Introduced in House
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.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H775)
Introduced in House
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.
This bill aims to make permanent several telehealth flexibilities under the Medicare program that were temporarily expanded during the public health emergency. It amends the Social Security Act to ensure that expanded access to telehealth services, the broader range of eligible practitioners, and the provision of telehealth services by Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics continue indefinitely from the emergency period's start date. A significant provision permanently allows for the treatment of telehealth services furnished using audio-only telecommunications technology , removing previous time limitations. The bill also eliminates certain in-person requirements for services such as home dialysis monthly ESRD-related visits, stroke telehealth services, substance use disorder services, and mental health services, including those provided by FQHCs and RHCs. Furthermore, the legislation makes permanent the use of telehealth for face-to-face encounters required for hospice care recertification , with specific exceptions for high-risk scenarios. It mandates the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish requirements for including specific codes or modifiers on claims for certain telehealth services by January 1, 2026, particularly those furnished via virtual platforms or incident to a professional service. The bill extends Acute Hospital Care at Home waiver flexibilities permanently and introduces new flexibilities for in-home cardiopulmonary rehabilitation , allowing these services to be furnished via real-time audio and video technology. It also requires the Secretary to issue guidance within one year on best practices for furnishing telehealth services to individuals with limited English proficiency , covering aspects like interpreter integration, accessible instructions, and multilingual materials. By January 1, 2026, the Secretary must revise regulations to allow entities to participate in the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) solely through online services, removing geographical barriers and enrollment limits. Additionally, the bill mandates education and outreach to Medicare practitioners by January 1, 2026, regarding periodic screening for medication-induced movement disorders via telehealth, including clinical guidelines and coding information.
Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better
Timeline
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H775)
Introduced in House
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.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H775)
Introduced in House
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.