Washington, DC—Today, Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-21) released the following statement after the House voted to pass the Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act of 2022, which will ensure Medicare continues to cover telehealth services (including audio-only services) through December 31, 2024.

“Since the start of the pandemic, telehealth has become a valuable option to many people in our community, especially older adults and individuals with disabilities who may not always be able to make the trip to a doctor’s office,” said Rep. Frankel. “I’m proud to support this bill to ensure medical professionals have as many tools as possible to keep their communities healthy and safe.”

More specifically, this bill would continue key flexibilities that:

• Allow Medicare beneficiaries to receive telehealth services from any location, including their homes;
• Expand Medicare coverage of telehealth services for all beneficiaries, instead of only those in rural areas;
• Allow for more types of providers such as Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics to provide telehealth under Medicare;
• Allow Medicare beneficiaries to receive audio-only services;
• Delay the in-person requirements for mental health services to be provided through telehealth; and
• Allow hospice providers to conduct face-to-face requirements via telehealth.

The bill passed the House by a vote of 416-12, and it now heads to the Senate for approval.

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