HR 8489 United States House · 117th Congress

Greater Access to Telehealth Act

Summary
Greater Access to Telehealth Act 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, 2026, 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, 2027, or the first day after the end of the emergency period, whichever is later.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jul 2022
Committee Review
Floor Vote
President
Introduced Jul 26, 2022 Last action Jul 26, 2022
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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
2
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Jul 26, 2022
Committee
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.
lower
Jul 26, 2022
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
1 primary · 2 co-sponsors

Sponsors