Advancing Access to Telehealth Act
Summary
The "Advancing Access to Telehealth Act" aims to make permanent certain telehealth flexibilities under the Medicare program. This bill amends Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to remove the sunset dates on several telehealth provisions enacted during the COVID-19 public health emergency. It expands access to telehealth services, broadens the range of practitioners eligible to furnish telehealth services, and extends telehealth services furnished by Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics.
Expected Effects
The bill will permanently allow Medicare beneficiaries to access a wider range of healthcare services from their homes or other locations using telehealth. This includes audio-only telehealth services and eliminates in-person requirements for certain services like home dialysis, stroke telehealth, and mental health services. The changes would be effective beginning on the first day of the emergency period described in section 1135(g)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act.
Potential Benefits
- Increased access to healthcare for Medicare beneficiaries, especially those in rural or underserved areas.
- Greater convenience and flexibility for patients, reducing the need for travel and time off work.
- Potential cost savings for patients and the healthcare system through reduced hospital readmissions and emergency room visits.
- Improved health outcomes through more timely and consistent access to care.
- Modernization of the Medicare program to better reflect current technology and healthcare delivery models.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for fraud and abuse due to the ease of providing telehealth services.
- Concerns about the quality of care provided through telehealth compared to in-person visits.
- Digital divide issues, where some beneficiaries may lack access to the necessary technology or internet connectivity.
- Possible overutilization of telehealth services, leading to increased costs for the Medicare program.
- Challenges in ensuring patient privacy and data security in a telehealth environment.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution's broad mandate to "promote the general Welfare" (Preamble). Congress has the power to legislate on matters related to healthcare and Medicare under the Spending Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 1). The expansion of telehealth services could be seen as a reasonable means to improve healthcare access and outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries. However, potential concerns about privacy and data security could raise issues related to the Fourth Amendment.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).