Bill > S2709

This bill extends and modifies several telehealth and healthcare-related flexibilities under Medicare through September 30, 2027. It removes geographic restrictions for telehealth services, expands the types of practitioners who can provide telehealth services, and allows continued use of audio-only telehealth services. The bill extends the ability to conduct hospice care recertification encounters via telehealth and introduces a requirement to use specific modifiers for these encounters. It also extends the Acute Hospital Care at Home waiver through 2030 and mandates a comprehensive study on this program's effectiveness, analyzing factors like patient outcomes, costs, and quality of care. Additionally, the bill introduces new program integrity measures for durable medical equipment claims, requires a report on clinical laboratory test fraud risks, and provides guidance on serving patients with limited English proficiency in telehealth settings. Other provisions include allowing in-home cardiopulmonary rehabilitation services via telecommunications technology and expanding the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program to include virtual-only service providers. These changes aim to improve healthcare access, particularly for rural and underserved populations, while maintaining program integrity and exploring innovative healthcare delivery methods.

Budget and Finance

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2709/all-info