Open Eye

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117th Congress · House

Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID–19 Act of 2021

Subjects: Drug, alcohol, tobacco use · Fraud offenses and financial crimes · Health care coverage and access · Health facilities and institutions · Health personnel · Health technology, devices, supplies · Internet and video services · Internet, web applications, social media

In plain language

  • House bill in the 117th Congress.
  • Modifies the extension of certain Medicare telehealth flexibilities after the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
  • House passed it on Jul 27, 2022 (substantive).
Official summary (Congressional Research Service)

Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act of 2022 This bill modifies the extension of certain Medicare telehealth flexibilities after the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Specifically, the bill provides that certain flexibilities continue to apply until December 31, 2024, if the emergency period ends before that date. The bill allows beneficiaries to continue to receive telehealth services at any site, regardless of type or location (e.g., the beneficiary's home); occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, and audiologists to continue to furnish telehealth services; federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics to continue to serve as the distant site (i.e., the location of the health care practitioner); evaluation and management and behavioral health services to continue to be provided via audio-only technology; and hospice physicians and nurse practitioners to continue to complete certain requirements relating to patient recertifications via telehealth. The bill also delays implementation of certain in-person evaluation requirements for mental health telehealth services until January 1, 2025, or the first day after the end of the emergency period, whichever is later.

View this measure on congress.gov

Roll-call votes on this measure