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Congress·In Committee·H.R. 1867

House Bill Would Make Medicare Mental Health Telehealth Permanent, Drop In-Person Visit Rules

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to remove in-person requirements under Medicare for mental health services furnished through telehealth and telecommunications technology.

about 1 year ago·View on Congress.gov
Part of: Congress Moves to Permanently Expand Medicare Telehealth Access and Providers
⏸

Stalled

No legislative action in over 90 days.

Legislative Progress

House
Senate
President
Law

Key Points

  • This bill would allow Medicare patients to receive mental health and substance use treatment through telehealth without needing to see a doctor in person first. Currently, rules often require patients to have an in-person visit before they can start or continue using video or phone appointments for their care.
  • The policy focuses on making it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to get help for depression, anxiety, or addiction from the comfort of home. This is especially helpful for people who live far from a clinic, have limited transportation, or have physical disabilities that make traveling difficult.
  • It removes a specific deadline of April 1, 2025, for rural health clinics and community health centers. By getting rid of this cutoff date, these facilities can keep offering virtual mental health visits as a permanent option rather than a temporary fix.
  • By making these telehealth options permanent, the bill aims to prevent a situation where patients might suddenly lose access to their therapists or doctors if they cannot make it to a physical office. It ensures that mental health support remains consistent and accessible regardless of where a patient lives.
Medicare MedicaidHealthcareTelecommunications

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

How this policy affects specific groups of people

Positive Impacts(6)
Medicare
Helps

Permanently removes in-person visit requirements for mental health telehealth, making it easier for Medicare patients to access care remotely.

Mental Health
Helps

People with mental health conditions on Medicare can keep seeing their providers by video or phone without needing in-person visits first.

Retiree
Helps

Seniors on Medicare gain permanent access to mental health care via telehealth, removing travel barriers for those with limited mobility.

Chronic Illness
Helps

People with substance use disorders on Medicare can continue receiving telehealth treatment without geographic or in-person restrictions.

Physical Disability
Helps

Removes the need to travel to a clinic for mental health visits, a major benefit for those who have difficulty getting around.

Cognitive Developmental
Helps

Individuals with cognitive disabilities benefit from being able to receive mental health services at home via telehealth.

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Mar 5, 2025House

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Mar 5, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

The April 1, 2025 deadline for rural health clinics and community health centers to offer telehealth mental health visits would be removed

If the bill passes, patients at these facilities won't lose access to virtual mental health appointments after that date.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to remove in-person requirements under Medicare for mental health services furnished through telehealth and telecommunications technology.

Bill NumberHR 1867
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(4)
D: 2R: 2

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.