Bill · H.R. 2263· House(119-HR-2263)
Telehealth Coverage Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 3/21/2025
- Last activity
- 3/21/2025 — Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Sponsored by
- Ro Khanna
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Telehealth Coverage Act of 2025 aims to make several Medicare telehealth flexibilities permanent. It amends the Social Security Act to extend access to various telehealth services, including audio-only technology and services provided by specific health centers. The bill also eliminates certain in-person requirements for specific services like mental health and substance use disorder treatments. Additionally, it extends acute hospital care at home waiver flexibilities. The legislation requires new guidance for individuals with limited English proficiency and updates rules for the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program. Finally, it mandates outreach regarding screenings for medication-induced movement disorders.
Yes· 3 of 9
Would people over 65 be better off under this?+8
The bill expands and protects important telehealth services and benefits for Medicare beneficiaries.
Would retired people be better off under this?+8
The bill provides long-term stability and expansion of telehealth benefits for Medicare beneficiaries.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+8
The bill significantly improves healthcare access through permanent telehealth flexibilities and expanded provider options.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Permanent Telehealth Access: The bill makes various telehealth flexibilities permanent rather than temporary, which provides continuous access to services (Section 2).
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Expanded Provider Options: It expands the group of practitioners eligible to provide telehealth services (Section 2(b)).
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Continued Support from Health Centers: It extends telehealth services that are furnished by Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics (Section 2(c)).
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Audio-Only Options: The bill addresses the treatment of telehealth services furnished using audio-only telecommunications technology (Section 2(d)).
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Elimination of In-Person Barriers: Certain services, such as home dialysis, stroke telehealth, substance use disorder services, and mental health services, no longer require specific in-person requirements (Section 2(e)).
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Improved Hospice Care Access: The bill allows for the use of telehealth to conduct face-to-face encounters required for hospice care recertification (Section 2(f)).
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Expanded Hospital Care at Home: It extends flexibilities for acute hospital care at home (Section 4).
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Support for Limited English Proficiency: The Secretary is required to issue guidance to help individuals with limited English proficiency access digital portals, instructions, and interpreters during telemedicine appointments (Section 5).
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Improved Diabetes Prevention: The bill allows for online services within the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) and removes limits on how many times an individual may enroll (Section 7).
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Enhanced Disease Screening: The Secretary must provide education and outreach regarding periodic screenings for medication-induced movement disorders (Section 8).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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New Documentation Requirements: Physicians and practitioners will be required to use specific codes or modifiers for certain telehealth claims, such as those involving virtual platforms or services incident to a professional service (Section 2(g)).
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Increased Hospice Claim Requirements: Hospice claims used to conduct face-to-face encounters via telehealth must include specific modifiers or codes (Section 3).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Retirees+8Good For Seniors+8Good For Rural Residents+7Good For Immigrants+5Good For People With Disabilities+5Good For Low Income Households+4
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+8Improves Mental Health Access+7Increases Medicare Funding+5
- 3/21/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House
- 2/25/2025
- Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H775)
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.