The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation that temporarily extends flexibility for Medicare telehealth. 

This legislative package extends COVID-19 waivers for 151 days beyond the expiration of the public health emergency (PHE). These waivers could now last until December 2022, which currently relies on telehealth services being renewed every 90 days with a PHE renewal.   

While this bill includes a temporary extension, policymakers agree on the need for a a permanent Medicare telehealth policy has been discussed.    

The telehealth provisions in the bill include: 

• Waiving current geographic and originating site restrictions.  

• Allowing continued coverage of audio-only payments.  

• Delaying the in-person requirements for telehealth services for mental health treatment.  

• Requiring MedPAC to conduct a study on the expansion of telehealth services and its effect on patient utilization.  

• Extending current flexibility allowing a high deductible health plan (HDHP) to cover telehealth benefits pre-deductible and still qualify as a HDHP with a health savings account.  

• Allowing certain practitioners, including audiologists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists, to continue providing care via telehealth.  

• Allowing continued coverage of telehealth services at qualified federal health centers and rural healthcare clinics.  

• Allowing the use of telehealth to conduct face-to-face hospice recertification. 

The bill also includes a wide range of other healthcare provisions, including addressing the maternal mortality crisis, expanding Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority over certain nicotine and tobacco products and increasing enhanced Medicaid funding in U.S. territories.