Expanding Telehealth Flexibilities: A Look at the Telehealth Modernization Act’s Recent Update

A recent update from Manatt on Health, a subscription service that offers in-depth analysis and insights on legal, policy, and market developments in the healthcare industry, provides an overview of recent events. On May 16, the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee held a markup of 23 bills. Among the legislation considered was the Telehealth Modernization Act (H.R. 7623), which seeks to extend certain pandemic-era telehealth flexibilities within the Medicare program for two more years.

The act includes several provisions that aim to improve access to telehealth services for patients across the country. For example, it allows any location in the U.S., including a patient’s home, to be an eligible originating site for telehealth services. It also permits federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics to participate as originating or distant sites, enabling the use of audio-only telehealth for select services, and maintaining eligibility for telehealth practitioners such as occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language therapists, and audiologists.

The amended version of the Telehealth Modernization Act was unanimously passed by the subcommittee, aligning with similar legislation previously advanced by the House Ways and Means Committee although with some key differences. Those interested in subscribing to Manatt on Health for more comprehensive information and analysis can reach out to Barret Jefferds for further details on how to enroll in the service.