Bill · H.R. 5081· House(119-HR-5081)
Telehealth Modernization Act
- Introduced
- 9/2/2025
- Last activity
- 9/2/2025 — 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
- Earl Carter
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 8
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Telehealth Modernization Act extends various Medicare telehealth flexibilities through September 30, 2027. This includes removing geographic requirements, expanding eligible practitioners, and allowing audio-only services. It delays in-person requirements for mental health services and expands telehealth use for hospice recertification. Additionally, it extends the Acute Hospital Care at Home waiver until 2030 and includes new fraud prevention measures for durable medical equipment. The bill also provides for better telehealth access for people with limited English proficiency and expands virtual options for diabetes prevention and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation.
Yes· 3 of 22
Would people over 65 be better off under this?+9
Directly benefits Medicare beneficiaries by expanding access to virtual and home-based care.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+9
Removal of geographic requirements and support for rural health clinics is a primary focus.
Would retired people be better off under this?+9
Extends critical Medicare flexibilities for the primary demographic of retirees.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Increased Access to Care: By removing geographic requirements and expanding originating sites through September 30, 2027, more people can access telehealth regardless of their location (Section 2(a)).
- Mental Health Support: The bill delays the requirement for in-person visits for mental health services until October 1, 2027, making it easier for people to receive psychiatric care remotely (Section 2(d)).
- Flexible Communication: The extension of audio-only telehealth services until September 30, 2027, benefits those who may not have access to high-speed internet or video technology (Section 2(e)).
- Support for Non-English Speakers: The Secretary of Health and Human Services will issue guidance on best practices for using interpreters and providing multi-language materials during telehealth appointments (Section 6).
- Diabetes Prevention: Individuals can now enroll in the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program via online services regardless of whether they are in the same state as the provider, with no limit on the number of times they can enroll (Section 8).
- Home-Based Recovery: Patients can receive cardiopulmonary rehabilitation in their homes via audio and video technology through January 1, 2027 (Section 7).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Hospice Restrictions: Telehealth for hospice recertification is now prohibited for individuals in areas with a moratorium on hospice program enrollment or those receiving care from providers under enhanced oversight (Section 2(f)).
- Increased Oversight for Equipment: Starting January 1, 2028, certain durable medical equipment may be flagged for "aberrant billing patterns" if the ordering physician has not treated the patient in the previous 24 months, which could lead to prepayment reviews and potential delays in receiving equipment (Section 5(a)).
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+9Good For Rural Residents+9Good For Seniors+9Good For People With Disabilities+7Good For Low Income Households+6Good For Native Americans+6Good For Farmers+5Good For High Income Households+5Good For Hispanic Americans+5Good For Immigrants+5Good For Middle Class Households+5Good For African Americans+4Good For Asian Americans+4Good For Urban Residents+4Good For White Americans+4
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+9Improves Mental Health Access+8
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Disability Rights+4Improves Racial Equity+2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+3Improves Fiscal Responsibility+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+5
- 7/20/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/10/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/3/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/17/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/14/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/17/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/15/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/2/2025
- 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.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
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.
Herbert ConawayDemocrat · New Jersey
Debbie DingellDemocrat · Michigan
Julie JohnsonDemocrat · Texas
Stephen LynchDemocrat · Massachusetts
Sam LiccardoDemocrat · California
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Deborah RossDemocrat · North Carolina
Josh RileyDemocrat · New York