The House today passed H.R. 4040, the Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act, which included provisions from Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter’s (R-GA) Greater Access to Telehealth Act that will expand access to telehealth services.
“As a pharmacist who grew up in South Georgia, I know first-hand how difficult access to health care can be for rural Americans,” said Rep. Carter. “The expansion of telehealth during COVID-19 highlighted how virtual care can provide quality medical services in GA-01 and across the country. I am glad that the House approved my provisions to increase health care accessibility, but we must go further and do more.”
These provisions include:
- Increased range of locations from which a beneficiary may receive telehealth services by removing geographic restrictions and expanding originating sites.
- Expanded telehealth services offered by qualified physicians and practitioners.
- Medicare reimbursement of telehealth services provided by physicians and practitioners working for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Centers (RHCs).
- Mental health services furnished through telehealth for up to six months without an in-person meeting.
- Audio-only telehealth services to ensure seniors and rural patients who may not have internet connectivity can receive the care they need.
- Expanded access to telehealth services for recertification of hospice care eligibility during an emergency period.
Read the text of the bill here.
Original source can be found here.
