Telehealth Bill Reintroduced for Medicare Beneficiaries

WASHINGTON—United States Sens. Tim Scott (R-SC) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) have reintroduced the Telehealth Modernization Act, a bill that would extend telehealth access for Americans enrolled in Medicare through fiscal year 2027. Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA) and Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) are leading the House companion bill.

“Telehealth has been a critical lifeline for millions of people who have come to rely on it,” said Schatz. “But we need to act now to make sure that the Medicare expansions for telehealth coverage are extended. Our bill works hand-in-hand with the CONNECT for Health Act by removing unnecessary barriers in Medicare and makes it easier for more beneficiaries to get the care they need through telehealth.”

“Telehealth is a vital part of our health care system, and we must ensure that it is available to patients who need it,” said Carter. “By extending telehealth flexibilities for patients, we are making health care more accessible, regardless of their physical location. As a pharmacist, one of my top priorities has been increasing the accessibility and quality of health care; this bill does both, in a bipartisan manner, and paves the way for more patients and providers to use 21st century technology.”

Key telehealth provisions that were made available during the pandemic are set to expire on Sept. 30, 2025. According to the senators, the Telehealth Modernization Act would make sure that patients, particularly seniors and those in rural communities, continue to have access to virtual care.

The Telehealth Modernization Act of 2025 would:

• Remove geographic and originating site restrictions to allow patients to access telehealth services from any location.
• Protect access to telehealth for patients in rural communities by allowing audio-only telehealth services for those without internet access or smart devices.
• Expand the use of telehealth by additional physician and non-physician practitioners approved by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
• Waive the requirement that patients be seen in person within six months of receiving telehealth services for mental or behavioral health.
• Allow patients to participate in virtual diabetes prevention programs as part of the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program Expanded Model.
• Allow patients to receive cardiopulmonary rehabilitation services at home.
• Require HHS to share best practices for improving telehealth services for non-English speakers.
• Extend the use of telehealth to meet face-to-face requirements for hospice care and home dialysis.
• Extend the Acute Hospital Care at Home Program to allow patients to receive acute level care at home.