S. 3834 — Expanded Telehealth Access Act

This section expands the definition of practitioner eligible for Medicare telehealth payment under SSA §1834(m) by replacing subparagraph (4)(E) to include, with respect to services furnished on or after the date of enactment of the Expanded Telehealth Access Act, (1) a qualified audiologist (as defined in SSA §1861(ll)(4)(B)); (2) a qualified occupational therapist and an occupational therapy assistant under the supervision of a qualified occupational therapist; (3) a qualified physical therapist and a physical therapist assistant under the supervision of a qualified physical therapist; (4) a qualified speech-language pathologist (as defined in SSA §1861(ll)(4)(A)); (5) a facility that furnishes services described in paragraph (8) or (9) of SSA §1833(a) (i.e., outpatient hospital services and services furnished by federally qualified health centers or rural health clinics) through telehealth; and (6) any additional provider of services or supplier, as specified by the Secretary, who is enrolled under SSA §1866(j) and furnishes a telehealth service. It further modifies payment rules in paragraph (2)(A) to provide for direct payment to such occupational therapy assistants and physical therapist assistants furnishing telehealth services and makes a conforming change in paragraph (3)(B). (Thus, Medicare pays for telehealth services at the distant site by these practitioners at amounts equivalent to in-person rates, expanding beneficiary access to therapy and diagnostic services without an originating site facility fee in many cases.)