U.S. House passes legislation to extend telehealth waivers through 2024

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed passed the Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act of 2022 (H.R. 4040). The bill proposes to extend telehealth flexibilities under Medicare that were initially authorized during the public health emergency of COVID-19. The bill heads to the U.S. Senate. 

Specifics of the proposal are as follows:

• Provides that certain flexibilities continue to apply until December 31, 2024, if the emergency period ends before that date. 

• Beneficiaries to continue to receive telehealth services at any site, regardless of type or location (e.g., the beneficiary's home); 

• Occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, and audiologists to continue to furnish telehealth services;

• Federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics to continue to serve as the distant site (i.e., the location of the health care practitioner);

• Evaluation and management and behavioral health services to continue to be provided via audio-only technology; and

• Hospice physicians and nurse practitioners to continue to complete certain requirements relating to patient recertifications via telehealth.

The bill also delays implementation of certain in-person evaluation requirements for mental health telehealth services until January 1, 2025, or the first day after the end of the emergency period, whichever is later.

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