Primary and Virtual Care Affordability Act

12/19/2024, 9:06 AM

Primary and Virtual Care Affordability Act

This bill extends until January 1, 2027, the exemption for telehealth services from certain high deductible health plan rules. It also provides a high deductible health plan safe harbor for the absence of a deductible for certain primary care services provided in any plan year beginning on or before December 31, 2023.

The Government Accountability Office must complete a study, and report on, the effects of the safe harbor for certain primary care services.

 

Bill 118 hr 7681, also known as the Primary and Virtual Care Affordability Act, aims to make primary and virtual healthcare services more affordable and accessible to all Americans. The bill focuses on reducing out-of-pocket costs for individuals seeking primary care services, as well as expanding access to virtual care options.

One key provision of the bill is the establishment of a grant program to help healthcare providers implement virtual care services, such as telehealth and telemedicine. This program would provide funding to help cover the costs of technology and training needed to offer virtual care options to patients.

Additionally, the bill includes measures to increase transparency in healthcare pricing, making it easier for patients to compare costs for different primary care services. This transparency is intended to help individuals make more informed decisions about their healthcare and potentially lower overall healthcare costs. Overall, the Primary and Virtual Care Affordability Act seeks to address the rising costs of healthcare in the United States by promoting more affordable and accessible primary and virtual care options for all Americans. The bill is currently under consideration in Congress and has garnered bipartisan support for its efforts to improve healthcare affordability and access.
Congress
118
Number
HR - 7681
Introduced on
2024-03-13
# Amendments
0
Sponsors
+5
Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

3/13/2024
Text
PDF
XML

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Primary and Virtual Care Affordability Act

This bill extends until January 1, 2027, the exemption for telehealth services from certain high deductible health plan rules. It also provides a high deductible health plan safe harbor for the absence of a deductible for certain primary care services provided in any plan year beginning on or before December 31, 2023.

The Government Accountability Office must complete a study, and report on, the effects of the safe harbor for certain primary care services.

 

Bill 118 hr 7681, also known as the Primary and Virtual Care Affordability Act, aims to make primary and virtual healthcare services more affordable and accessible to all Americans. The bill focuses on reducing out-of-pocket costs for individuals seeking primary care services, as well as expanding access to virtual care options.

One key provision of the bill is the establishment of a grant program to help healthcare providers implement virtual care services, such as telehealth and telemedicine. This program would provide funding to help cover the costs of technology and training needed to offer virtual care options to patients.

Additionally, the bill includes measures to increase transparency in healthcare pricing, making it easier for patients to compare costs for different primary care services. This transparency is intended to help individuals make more informed decisions about their healthcare and potentially lower overall healthcare costs. Overall, the Primary and Virtual Care Affordability Act seeks to address the rising costs of healthcare in the United States by promoting more affordable and accessible primary and virtual care options for all Americans. The bill is currently under consideration in Congress and has garnered bipartisan support for its efforts to improve healthcare affordability and access.
Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the exemption for telehealth services from certain high deductible health plan rules, to establish a safe harbor for high deductible health plans with no deductible for certain primary care services, and to direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on the effects of such safe harbor.
Policy Areas
Taxation

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary10/25/2024

Primary and Virtual Care Affordability Act

This bill extends until January 1, 2027, the exemption for telehealth services from certain high deductible health plan rules. It also provides a high deductible health plan safe ha...

Latest Action12/17/2024
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.