Protect Telehealth Services for Medicare

Protecting Rural Telehealth Access Act This bill expands coverage of telehealth services under Medicare. Specifically, the bill permanently (1) removes geographic restrictions on originating sites (i. e., the location of the beneficiary), (2) allows the home of the beneficiary to serve as the originating site for all services, (3) allows federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics to serve as the distant site (i. e., the location of the health care practitioner), and (4) expands coverage to include audio-only services for evaluation and management and behavioral health services.

1. This bill would ensure that Medicare continues to cover telehealth services. 2. It aims to make telehealth services more accessible for patients. 3. The bill seeks to protect telehealth options that became popular during the pandemic. 4. It would help maintain the quality of care for Medicare recipients. 5. The bill focuses on keeping telehealth services available in the future.

Seniors and individuals with disabilities who rely on Medicare for health care.