July 29, 2022 – The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill that extends telehealth flexibilities under Medicare that were initially authorized during the public health emergency of COVID-19.
The House on Wednesday passed H.R. 4040, Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act of 2022. The bill will now move to the Senate for approval.
The version of the bill passed by the House would:
- Keep telehealth flexibilities through 2024
- Allow federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics to serve as the distant site, (the location of the healthcare practitioner)
- Allow beneficiaries to receive telehealth services at any site, regardless of type or location
- Allow any type of practitioner to furnish telehealth services, subject to CMS approval
- Continue coverage for audio-only evaluation and management and behavioral health services
According to Healthcare Finance, during the public health emergency, providers invested in telehealth, but the end of the PHE would revert innovative business models to the limited use and reimbursement of telehealth services that existed prior to the pandemic.
HHS this month extended the public health emergency for another 90 days, which would end the PHE in mid-October if it is not extended again. Common consensus is that the federal government will leave the PHE in place through the November midterm elections until the end of the year, Healthcare Finance said.
HHS promised to give providers 60 days’ notice of the end of the PHE. Telehealth waivers granted under the PHE would then expire 151 days later.