This bill permanently allows any site to serve as an originating site (i.e., the location of the beneficiary) for purposes of Medicare telehealth services, including a beneficiary's home.
Impact
By removing geographic limitations, HB134 aims to enhance healthcare access for individuals, particularly those in rural or underserved areas. It reflects a growing recognition of the importance of telehealth, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which underscored the necessity for flexible healthcare delivery methods. If passed, this bill could significantly impact how telehealth is implemented across the country, making it easier for patients to receive necessary care without the barriers of geographical constraints.
Summary
House Bill 134 proposes to amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, focusing on the expansion of telehealth services under Medicare. The bill's primary intent is to eliminate existing geographic restrictions on the provision of telehealth services, allowing any location to serve as an originating site. This includes the patient's own home as a location from which they can access telehealth services, potentially increasing accessibility for beneficiaries who may be unable to travel to healthcare facilities.
Contention
While the bill is largely viewed favorably by various stakeholders advocating for improved healthcare access, there may be some concerns regarding the potential for increased demand on telehealth services and whether existing providers can handle this demand effectively. Additionally, there may be discussions surrounding the quality of care delivered through telehealth compared to in-person visits. These points of contention highlight the need for ensuring that as the system evolves to include broader telehealth capabilities, it also maintains high standards of patient care and service satisfaction.
Sustainable Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Services in the Home Act This bill permanently allows services relating to cardiac rehabilitation programs, intensive cardiac rehabilitation programs, and pulmonary rehabilitation programs to be furnished via telehealth at a beneficiary's home under Medicare.
Advanced Safe Testing at Residence Telehealth Act of 2023 This bill temporarily establishes several programs to provide telehealth services for at-home testing, evaluations, and other health care. Specifically, the bill establishes a demonstration program to provide assistive telehealth consultations and home- and community-based care for certain Medicare beneficiaries through Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. Covered services include certain at-home diagnostic tests, telehealth consultations, transportation services, and meal benefits. Beneficiaries must be (1) age 65 or older and eligible to enroll in a qualifying MA plan and to receive certain low-income subsidies under the Medicare prescription drug benefit, or (2) dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid benefits. The bill also establishes a grant program for state Medicaid programs to cover similar at-home tests and related telehealth consultations. Additionally, the Department of Veterans Affairs must establish a pilot program to provide tests and related telehealth consultations free of charge to veterans.
Protecting Life on College Campus Act of 2023 This bill prohibits the award of federal funds to an institution of higher education (IHE) that hosts or is affiliated with a school-based service site that provides abortion drugs or abortions to its students or to employees of the IHE or the site. An IHE that hosts or is affiliated with a site must, in order to remain eligible for federal funds, annually certify that the site does not provide abortion drugs or abortions to students or employees.
Protecting Life on College Campus Act of 2023 This bill prohibits the award of federal funds to an institution of higher education (IHE) that hosts or is affiliated with a school-based service site that provides abortion drugs or abortions to its students or to employees of the IHE or the site. An IHE that hosts or is affiliated with a site must, in order to remain eligible for federal funds, annually certify that the site does not provide abortion drugs or abortions to students or employees.
Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act of 2023 This bill allows for Medicare coverage of hearing aids and related examinations. The Government Accountability Office must study programs that provide assistance for hearing aids and related examinations for individuals with hearing loss.
To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to expand the application of Medicaid State programs to monitor antipsychotic medications to all Medicaid beneficiaries.