Bill 118 hr 8151, also known as the Telehealth Expansion Act, aims to make changes to title XVIII of the Social Security Act in order to broaden the range of healthcare providers who are eligible to provide telehealth services.
Currently, Medicare only covers telehealth services provided by a limited number of practitioners, such as doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. This bill seeks to expand this list to include additional healthcare professionals, such as clinical social workers, clinical psychologists, and physical therapists.
By allowing a wider range of practitioners to offer telehealth services, this bill aims to increase access to healthcare for Medicare beneficiaries, particularly those in rural or underserved areas. This could lead to improved health outcomes and reduced healthcare costs for both patients and the Medicare program.
Overall, the Telehealth Expansion Act is designed to modernize Medicare's telehealth coverage and ensure that beneficiaries have access to a broader range of healthcare services through telehealth technology.