Bill > HR8261

This bill, the Preserving Telehealth, Hospital, and Ambulance Access Act, would make the following key provisions: 1. It would extend certain Medicare telehealth flexibilities, such as removing geographic requirements and expanding originating sites, until December 31, 2026. It would also delay the in-person requirements for Medicare mental health services furnished through telehealth until January 1, 2027. 2. It would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue guidance for health entities on best practices for providing telehealth services to individuals with limited English proficiency. 3. It would extend the Medicare-Dependent Hospital Program and the increased inpatient hospital payment adjustment for certain low-volume hospitals through fiscal year 2025. 4. It would extend the add-on payments for Medicare ambulance services until October 1, 2025. 5. It would revise the phase-in of changes to Medicare clinical laboratory test payment rates, delaying reductions in payment rates from private payor data implementation until 2028. 6. It would establish new requirements for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) contracting with Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, including increased transparency and restrictions on certain types of payments. The bill aims to preserve access to telehealth, hospital, and ambulance services for Medicare beneficiaries.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/8261/all-info