Telehealth Extension Act of 2021

Telehealth Extension Act of 2021

This bill expands and otherwise modifies 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, and (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).

The bill also extends any Medicare telehealth flexibilities that were granted during the COVID-19 public health emergency until two years after the emergency ends and generally allows such flexibilities to be granted during any public health emergency.

In addition, the bill (1) allows for Medicare payment of outpatient critical access hospital services consisting of telehealth behavioral therapy until two years after the COVID-19 public health emergency ends; and (2) after the emergency ends, conditions payment for certain high-cost laboratory tests and durable medical equipment that are ordered via telehealth on at least one in-person visit during the preceding six-month period.

Bill 117 HR 6202, also known as the Telehealth Extension Act of 2021, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress. The purpose of this bill is to extend certain telehealth flexibilities that were put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bill aims to continue allowing healthcare providers to use telehealth services to treat patients, even after the public health emergency caused by the pandemic has ended. This includes allowing providers to use telehealth for services such as mental health counseling, primary care visits, and specialist consultations.

Additionally, the bill seeks to expand access to telehealth services for Medicare beneficiaries, particularly those living in rural or underserved areas. This would help ensure that all individuals, regardless of their location, have access to quality healthcare services through telehealth. Overall, the Telehealth Extension Act of 2021 is designed to promote the use of telehealth as a convenient and effective way for individuals to receive healthcare services, while also addressing the disparities in access to care that exist in certain communities.