To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand practitioners eligible to furnish telehealth services under the Medicare program.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1614
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-26: 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.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-24T08:08:22Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation, H.R. 1614, aims to broaden access to telehealth services under the Medicare program by expanding the range of healthcare practitioners who can provide these services remotely. Telehealth refers to delivering healthcare consultations and treatments via electronic communication, such as video calls, rather than in-person visits.
Key Provisions
- Amends Section 1834(m)(4)(E) of the Social Security Act, which governs telehealth under Medicare (Part B of the program that covers outpatient services for seniors and certain disabled individuals).
- Specifically, it modifies the wording in the law to include additional types of practitioners eligible to furnish telehealth services, making the list of eligible providers more inclusive.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- The amendment replaces restrictive language ("and," followed by text up to "shall include") with "and includes." This technical change shifts the statutory language from potentially limiting the list of eligible practitioners (e.g., primarily physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners) to explicitly incorporating others, such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists.
- Prior to this, eligibility for telehealth billing under Medicare was narrower, often tied to specific professions; this update aligns with temporary expansions made during the COVID-19 pandemic but makes them more permanent.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which administers Medicare, may need to update reimbursement rules and guidelines to reflect the expanded practitioner list, potentially increasing administrative workload but also streamlining telehealth approvals.
- On citizens: Medicare beneficiaries, particularly those in rural or underserved areas, could gain easier access to specialized therapies (e.g., physical or speech therapy) without travel, improving convenience and health outcomes for elderly or mobility-limited individuals.
- On international relations: No direct impacts, as this is a domestic healthcare policy focused on U.S. Medicare recipients.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Healthcare practitioners: Physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and similar professionals benefit from expanded eligibility to bill Medicare for telehealth, potentially increasing their service options and revenue.
- Medicare beneficiaries: Older adults (65+) and certain disabled individuals enrolled in Medicare stand to gain improved access to remote care.
- Healthcare providers and facilities: Hospitals, clinics, and telehealth platforms may see increased utilization and need to adapt billing systems.
- Government: CMS and Congress, as overseers of Medicare funding and policy.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens compliance with existing telehealth flexibilities under Medicare by codifying broader practitioner eligibility, reducing potential disputes over reimbursement denials. No challenges to constitutional authority, as it falls under Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce and social welfare programs.
- Constitutional: Aligns with the Spending Clause (Article I, Section 8), allowing federal funding conditions for programs like Medicare without infringing on states' rights.
- Political: Supports bipartisan efforts to modernize healthcare post-pandemic, potentially reducing healthcare disparities in rural areas. It may influence future debates on telehealth permanence and cost controls, given Medicare's large federal budget share (over $800 billion annually).
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (10)
Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4], Rep. Smith, Adrian [R-NE-3], Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17], Rep. Balderson, Troy [R-OH-12], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Miller, Carol D. [R-WV-1], Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4]
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-26: 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.
- 2025-02-26: 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.
- 2025-02-26: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-26: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand practitioners eligible to furnish telehealth services under the Medicare program. — issued 2025-02-26 — PDF (2 pages)