Scott, Schatz Introduce Bill to Protect and Increase Telehealth Options for Americans

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) reintroduced the Telehealth Modernization Act, a bipartisan bill that would extend telehealth access for Americans enrolled in Medicare through fiscal year 2027. Congressmen Buddy Carter (R-GA) and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) are leading the House companion bill.

"Improving access to high-quality health care for Americans is essential," said Sen. Scott. "We saw during the pandemic how effective telehealth can be for patients, and the Telehealth Modernization Act will ensure these services remain available for those who depend on them. By modernizing our telehealth laws, we can reduce barriers to care and improve health outcomes for patients across South Carolina and the country."

"Telehealth has been a critical lifeline for millions of people who have come to rely on it. But we need to act now to make sure that the Medicare expansions for telehealth coverage are extended," said Sen. Schatz. "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. 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," said Rep. Carter.

Rep. Dingell said, "Telehealth services are an essential part of our healthcare system. It is a fact that having to physically travel to a doctor's office or hospital can present a serious barrier to care for seniors, people with disabilities, and people who live in rural areas that are far from a health care provider. Telehealth worked during COVID and should be available and more widely adopted. The Telehealth Modernization Act takes us one step closer to protecting and expanding access to telehealth for Americans who depend on it."

Key telehealth provisions that were made available during the pandemic are set to expire on Sept. 30, 2025. 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.

Background:

• In 2024 alone, the South Carolina Telehealth Alliance supported more than 1 million telehealth services, allowing health care professionals to provide virtual care to patients through rural hospitals, primary care practices, maternal and perinatal health programs, and mental health settings.
• The Telehealth Modernization Act is supported by the American Telemedicine Association, Consumer Technology Association, Health Innovation Alliance, Alliance for Connected Care, The Partnership to Advance Virtual Care, HIMSS, American Hospital Association, American Medical Association, The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, National Rural Health Association, National Association of Community Health Centers, National Association of Rural Health Clinics, Federation of American Hospitals, American Heart Association, National Organization for Rare Disorders, The Alliance for Aging Research, American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, American Society of Pediatric Nephrology, Society of General Internal Medicine, and Endocrine Society.

Read the full bill text here.

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