Protecting Rural Telehealth Access Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7444
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-09: 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
- 2026-05-04T15:20:20Z
AI-Generated Summary
## Purpose The legislation aims to expand and protect Medicare beneficiaries' access to telehealth services by removing certain geographic, location, and technology restrictions that currently limit these services. It focuses on rural areas and specific provider types, making temporary pandemic-era flexibilities permanent starting in 2027.
## Key Provisions
- Geographic and location changes: Removes requirements that patients must be in rural or specific areas to receive telehealth; allows services from a patient's home permanently after 2026.
- Store-and-forward technology: Eliminates prior limits on using this method (where medical data is recorded and sent later) for telehealth.
- Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs): Permits these rural hospitals to serve as distant sites for telehealth, with payment at 101% of reasonable costs if they have an established patient relationship; includes behavioral health and other outpatient services.
- Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs): Extends telehealth payment flexibilities beyond 2024, introduces a new payment rate methodology considering geography and costs, and requires an established patient relationship.
- Audio-only services: Allows audio-only phone technology for evaluation, management, behavioral health, and other appropriate services starting in 2027, but only by qualified providers with an established relationship; includes a review process after five years.
- Sense of Congress: Encourages making expansions of eligible telehealth practitioners permanent.
## Significant Changes to Existing Law This bill amends Section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act (Medicare telehealth rules) to eliminate the geographic originating site requirement, the home-based service limit, and restrictions on store-and-forward technology after 2026. It adds new paragraphs for CAH flexibilities and updates FQHC/RHC rules with a separate payment methodology and relationship requirements. These changes convert time-limited flexibilities into ongoing policy.
## Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) would implement new payment systems, coding, and reviews, potentially through interim rules.
- On citizens: Rural and other Medicare beneficiaries gain broader access to remote care, reducing travel needs, though services require an established patient relationship in many cases.
- On international relations: No direct effects, as the bill focuses solely on domestic Medicare policy.
Overall, it may increase Medicare spending but improve service delivery efficiency.
## Main Stakeholders Affected
- Medicare beneficiaries, particularly in rural areas.
- Critical Access Hospitals, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and Rural Health Clinics.
- Other providers such as physicians, practitioners, hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities.
- The Department of Health and Human Services and CMS for administration and oversight.
## Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill operates within Congress's authority to amend Medicare under the Social Security Act, with no apparent constitutional conflicts. It includes implementation flexibility for the Secretary via program instructions. Politically, it emphasizes rural access and bipartisan sponsorship, while the five-year review for audio-only services allows future adjustments based on technology and access data.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-09: 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.
- 2026-02-09: 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.
- 2026-02-09: Introduced in House
- 2026-02-09: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Protecting Rural Telehealth Access Act — issued 2026-02-09 — PDF (14 pages)