HR-2263 : Still Just a Bill

The proposed legislation, H.R. 2263, also known as the "Telehealth Coverage Act of 2025," seeks to make permanent certain telehealth flexibilities under the Medicare program. Key provisions include:

• Expanded Access to Telehealth: Permanently expands access to telehealth services by removing the March 31, 2025 deadline, making telehealth services available from the first day of the emergency period described in section 1135(g)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act.
• Expanded Eligible Practitioners: Extends the eligibility of practitioners who can furnish telehealth services, again removing the March 31, 2025 deadline.
• Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics: Extends telehealth services furnished by these centers, removing the previous deadline.
• Audio-Only Telehealth: Mandates that the Secretary shall continue to cover telehealth services furnished using audio-only telecommunications technology on or after the first day of the emergency period described in section 1135(g)(1)(B).
• Elimination of In-Person Requirements: Eliminates in-person requirements under Medicare for certain services furnished through telehealth, including home dialysis, stroke telehealth services, substance use disorder services, and mental health services.
• Hospice Care: Modifies requirements for face-to-face encounters prior to recertification of eligibility for hospice care, allowing telehealth, but requiring in-person visits in areas with hospice program moratoriums or providers under enhanced oversight unless performed by enrolled/non-opt-out physicians or nurse practitioners.
• Telehealth Modifiers: Requires the use of specific codes or modifiers on claims for telehealth services to identify instances where physicians or practitioners contract with or have payment arrangements with virtual platform entities.
• Acute Hospital Care at Home: Extends the acute hospital care at home waiver flexibilities, starting from the day after the end of the emergency period described in section 1135(g)(1)(B).
• Guidance for Limited English Proficiency: Mandates the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue guidance on furnishing services via telehealth to individuals with limited English proficiency.
• In-Home Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation: Allows in-home cardiopulmonary rehabilitation through real-time audio and video communications technology.
• Virtual Diabetes Prevention Program: Allows entities to participate in the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) by offering only online MDPP services via synchronous or asynchronous technology or telecommunications.
• Medication-Induced Movement Disorder Outreach and Education: Requires the Secretary to provide education and outreach to physicians and non-physician practitioners participating under Medicare with respect to periodic screening for medication-induced movement disorders that are associated with the treatment of mental health disorders in at-risk patients, as well as resources related to clinical guidelines and best practices for furnishing such screening services through telehealth.