South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz have reintroduced the Telehealth Modernization Act to extend Medicare telehealth access through fiscal year 2027. Georgia Rep. Buddy Carter and Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell are leading the House companion bill.
The legislation would preserve pandemic-era telehealth provisions set to expire Sept. 30. It would remove geographic and originating site restrictions and expand telehealth access for rural patients by authorizing audio-only services for those without internet or smart devices, according to a Sept. 8 news release.
The act would also broaden provider eligibility, eliminate in-person visit requirements for mental and behavioral healthcare, and allow patients to receive cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and diabetes prevention services virtually. Additional provisions would enable telehealth use in hospice care, home dialysis and acute hospital care at home, while requiring HHS to share best practices for serving non-English speakers.
The bill is supported by several national healthcare associations, provider organizations and health technology groups.
