S. 3834: Expanded Telehealth Access Act

This bill, titled the Expanded Telehealth Access Act, aims to modify the Social Security Act to broaden the types of healthcare practitioners who can receive payment for telehealth services under the Medicare program. Here are the main changes proposed by the bill:

1. Expansion of Eligible Practitioners

The bill seeks to amend the current regulations to include additional types of practitioners who can provide telehealth services and be reimbursed by Medicare. Specifically, it defines "practitioner" to encompass a variety of qualified healthcare professionals:

• Audiologists
• Occupational therapists and their assistants
• Physical therapists and their assistants
• Speech-language pathologists
• Facilities that provide specific telehealth services
• Any other service provider designated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services who is enrolled and provides telehealth services.

2. Payment Provisions

The bill stipulates that Medicare must pay for telehealth services provided by the newly included practitioners. It specifies that payments would be made for services rendered by:

• Qualified audiologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists.
• Assistants under the supervision of the qualified therapists mentioned.

3. Revised Definitions

In addition to expanding the list of eligible practitioners, the bill revises existing definitions and parameters under which telehealth services are delivered, ensuring clarity on the qualifications and roles that qualify for Medicare reimbursement.

4. Implementation Timeline

The changes are planned to take effect for services provided after the enactment of the bill, thereby facilitating timely access to telehealth services for Medicare beneficiaries.

5. Goals of the Legislation

The overarching goal of the bill is to improve access to healthcare services via telehealth, especially for patients who might have barriers to in-person visits, such as those in rural or underserved areas. By including more types of practitioners in the Medicare telehealth framework, the legislation intends to enhance continuity and quality of care for Medicare recipients.

Relevant Companies

• AMGN: Amgen Inc. may see an increase in demand for telehealth services related to its products, especially concerning chronic disease management.
• CELG: Celgene Corporation could benefit from the expansion of telehealth services for oncology and hematology consultations.
• TDOC: Teladoc Health, being a telehealth service provider, would likely see increased usage and reimbursement for its services as more practitioners are included under Medicare.