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Congress·In Committee·6 months ago

House Bill Would Make Medicare Telehealth Payments Permanent for Community Health Centers

Also known as: HEALTH Act of 2025

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Impacts

Positive Impacts(1)
Medicare
Helps

Key Points

  • Makes Medicare telehealth payments permanent for federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics when they serve patients remotely.
  • Says a telehealth visit can be done by video or by audio-only (like a phone call), as long as it’s two-way and real-time.
  • Removes location rules that can block telehealth, so these clinics can provide remote care without Medicare’s usual geographic and site limits.
  • Tells the Health and Human Services Department to update its rules within 60 days to match these changes.
  • Could make it easier for rural and underserved patients to get Medicare-covered care without traveling, especially when internet video isn’t available.
HealthcareMedicare MedicaidTechnology

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Sep 18, 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.

Sep 18, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Within 60 days after the bill is enacted

Federal health agency updates telehealth definitions so audio-only (phone) qualifies for FQHC/RHC Medicare telehealth visits

Phone-only visits with FQHC/RHC clinicians are more likely to be treated as valid Medicare telehealth, reducing denials just for lacking video

Starting on/after the bill is enacted (and applied back to the start of the referenced emergency period in the Medicare statute)

Permanent Medicare payment rules for FQHC/RHC telehealth take effect

Clinics can keep offering telehealth without worrying Medicare payment will end on a set date, which can expand appointment options for patients

Starting after the bill is enacted, as Medicare implements the change

Originating site location limits no longer apply to FQHC/RHC telehealth when they are the distant site

More patients can do FQHC/RHC telehealth from home instead of traveling to a specific approved site first

Starting after the bill is enacted, as Medicare billing systems and guidance update

Facility fee restrictions for some telehealth host sites begin for FQHC/RHC distant-site visits

Some places that used to bill a separate facility fee for hosting telehealth may stop getting that extra payment for these visits, which could change where telehealth appointments are offered

Related News

2 articles
Times Observer·over 2 years ago

Thompson sponsors rural telehealth bill

Rep. Glenn Thompson introduced the Helping Ensure Access to Local TeleHealth (HEALTH) Act to secure Medicare reimbursement for telehealth services provided by community health centers and rural health clinics, including audio-only visits for patients without broadband access.

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National Association of Rural Health Clinics·18 days ago

Congress Votes to Maintain Telehealth Policy that Disadvantages Safety-Net Providers & Patients

While Congress recently extended temporary telehealth flexibilities, advocacy continues for the HEALTH Act (H.R. 5496), which would establish permanent, cost-related payments for telehealth services at Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

HEALTH Act of 2025

Bill NumberHR 5496
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

(5)
D: 5

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.