Telehealth has received another boost with two new bills introduced in the United States House of Representatives. McKnight’s Senior Living reported the news in a recent article.

Audio-Only Telehealth

The Permanency for Audio-Only Telehealth Act, if passed, would enable Medicare beneficiaries to receive telehealth visits through audio-only technologies. Beneficiaries could receive these services in their homes, as the bill would lift geographic and originating site restrictions.

This bill would be especially helpful for beneficiaries who have low incomes and who live in rural areas, said co-sponsors U.S. Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO) and Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) in a statement. Lack of broadband access, financial strain, and/or physical challenges may keep older adults from using video technologies.

Home Health Telehealth

The Home Health Emergency Access to Telehealth Act (HEAT) would reimburse for home health services delivered by visual or audio telehealth during an emergency period. “Senators Reintroduce Home Health Telehealth Legislation” by Home Health Care News charts home health agencies’ movement to receive reimbursement for telehealth services.

The Home Health Care News article notes that if the bill passes, CMS could issue a waiver that would enable telehealth visits to count toward in-person visits during a public health emergency. “The COVID-19 public health emergency is expected to last throughout 2021, so such an action could be a huge difference-maker for home health agencies,” the article said.

U.S. Representatives Jodey Arrington (R-TX), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Mike Kelly (R-PA), of Pennsylvania, and Mike Thompson (D-CA) introduced the bill.

LeadingAge Technology and Telehealth Policy Priorities

Extending pandemic telehealth flexibilities is among LeadingAge’s 2021 Technology and Telehealth Policy Priorities. Both bills advance LeadingAge’s goals:

• Advocate for permanent changes to Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial payer telehealth policy based on lessons learned from the coronavirus pandemic.
• Ensure all aging services providers are included in future permanent telehealth expansions.

Both bills are said to be bipartisan.