Another Telehealth Extension Advances in Congress

September 19, 2024

The House Energy and Commerce Committee this week advanced a two-year extension of pandemic-era Medicare telehealth flexibilities that were set to expire at the end of the year.

The extension was part of a markup of 15 bills that will be sent to the full House for consideration. The Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024 was reported to the full house 41–0.

“Seniors, individuals with mobility issues, and those living in rural areas rely on telehealth to bring qualified health care professionals right to their home. I urge a swift House floor vote on this bill, so that we can get Medicare beneficiaries the life-saving health care they need,” Representative Buddy Carter, (R–Georgia), the bill’s sponsor, said in a statement.

Notably, the bill would protect these pandemic-era flexibilities through 2026:

• Removal of geographic requirements and expansion of originating site locations where telehealth can be provided.
• Expansion of the types of practitioners who can provide telehealth services.
• Allowing rural health clinics and federally qualified health centers to continue to serve as the “distant sites” where health care providers are located.
• Allowing use of audio-only telehealth.
• Delaying the in-person requirements for mental health services through telehealth.
• Extension of acute hospital care at home waivers (through 2028).

The bill also includes provisions related to pharmacy benefit managers to help offset the costs of the plan. It’s expected for the bill to be part of a broader legislative package for the House to consider.

Additionally, the committee advanced two other bills of note for the broader health care community.

The Ensuring Seniors’ Access to Quality Care Act provides skilled nursing facilities with additional flexibility to train certified nursing assistants onsite. The bill advanced by a roll call vote of 20–18.

The Building America’s Health Care Workforce Act extends certain flexibilities relating to training and competency requirements for nurse aides in Medicare skilled nursing facilities and Medicaid nursing facilities. The bill was reported to the full House after a 23–17 vote.

For additional information, contact John Myers, vice president, federal advocacy.