Audio-Only Telehealth Access Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Feenstra
Introduced
Summary
Authorizes Medicare payment for audio-only telehealth during a federal emergency. This bill would let Medicare cover and pay for telehealth services delivered by audio-only communications systems when those services match the items listed in section 1834(m)(4)(F)(i) and are furnished during the emergency period described in section 1135(g)(1)(B). Coverage would take effect as of enactment for services provided during that emergency period and is limited to the listed services; it relies on existing 1135 emergency authority and does not create a separate sunset beyond that emergency period.
Show full summary
- Medicare beneficiaries: People who lack video access could receive Medicare-covered visits by phone for the specific services listed in 1834(m)(4)(F)(i) during the emergency period.
- Providers and clinicians: Clinicians would be able to bill and receive Medicare payment for qualifying audio-only services furnished in that emergency window.
- Program scope: The change is tied to the 1135(g)(1)(B) emergency period and only applies to the services identified in the statute, not a broader permanent expansion.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Medicare coverage for phone visits
If enacted, Medicare would cover and pay for some telehealth visits done by audio-only phone calls. It would cover only services on Medicare’s telehealth list as of enactment. It would apply to services on or after the first day of the 1135(g)(1)(B) emergency period. Coverage would last only during that emergency period; the bill sets no separate end date. This could help beneficiaries who use phone-only visits, and let providers bill Medicare for those calls.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Feenstra
IA • R
Cosponsors
Pappas
NH • D
Sponsored 3/6/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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