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.
Health
Why This Matters
This bill amends the Social Security Act to expand access to telehealth services in Medicare. It removes location and provider restrictions, adds new oversight measures, and supports training, quality measurement, and data reporting.
Who this affects
Medicare beneficiaries · health care providers · doctors · clinics
What changes is this bill making?
1Removes geographic requirements for Medicare telehealth services beginning October 1, 2025 so patients can receive care from any location
2Allows the HHS (Department of Health and Human Services) Secretary to waive limits on which practitioners can furnish telehealth, subject to periodic review and public comment
3Designates federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, and Indian Health Service and tribal facilities as telehealth sites without extra facility fees
4Repeals the six-month in-person visit requirement for telemental health services
5Authorizes HHS Office of Inspector General audits and investigations with $3 million annually for telehealth oversight
6Directs HHS to identify and notify providers with outlier telehealth billing patterns and publish aggregate data on the CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) website
7Requires HHS to provide training and guidance for patients, providers, and technology vendors to improve telehealth accessibility, especially for people with limited English or disabilities
8Mandates inclusion of telehealth in Medicare quality measures and quarterly public reporting on telehealth use, costs, and outcomes
