This bill permanently extends coverage of telehealth services and other coverage flexibilities under Medicare.
Specifically, the bill permanently extends certain flexibilities that were initially authorized during the public health emergency relating to COVID-19. Among other things, the bill allows (1) rural health clinics and federally qualified health centers to serve as the distant site (i.e., the location of the health care practitioner); (2) the home of a beneficiary to serve as the originating site (i.e., the location of the beneficiary) for all services (rather than for only certain services); and (3) audiologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists to furnish telehealth services.
The bill also permanently extends programs that provide added flexibility to treat Medicare beneficiaries at home, including the Acute Hospital Care at Home Program. The program allows hospitals to treat certain patients from emergency departments or inpatient hospital beds at home.
Additionally, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must (1) issue guidance for telehealth providers on how to support those with limited English proficiency, and (2) conduct outreach to providers to support screenings for medication-induced movement disorders that are associated with treating mental health disorders in at-risk patients, including telehealth screenings.