Summary of Bill HR 134
Bill 118 hr 134, also known as the Telehealth Expansion Act, aims to make changes to title XVIII of the Social Security Act in order to remove geographic restrictions and broaden the locations where telehealth services can be provided.
Currently, Medicare only covers telehealth services for patients located in rural areas or in designated healthcare shortage areas. This bill seeks to eliminate these geographic requirements, allowing patients in any location to access telehealth services. This expansion would greatly increase access to healthcare for individuals who may not have easy access to traditional in-person care.
Additionally, the bill aims to expand the list of originating sites where telehealth services can be provided. Currently, Medicare only covers telehealth services if the patient is located in a healthcare facility, such as a hospital or clinic. This bill would allow patients to receive telehealth services from their own homes or other non-traditional healthcare settings.
Overall, the Telehealth Expansion Act seeks to modernize Medicare's telehealth coverage and increase access to healthcare services for all individuals, regardless of their location. This bill has the potential to greatly improve healthcare outcomes and reduce barriers to care for many Americans.
Congressional Summary of HR 134
This bill permanently allows any site to serve as an originating site (i.e., the location of the beneficiary) for purposes of Medicare telehealth services, including a beneficiary's home.