IOWA CONGRESSMAN RANDY FEENSTRA IS SPONSORING A BILL TO REQUIRE MEDICARE TO COVER OVER-THE-PHONE TELEHEALTH SERVICES FOR ANOTHER YEAR.
THAT COVERAGE WAS SET TO EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31ST OF THIS YEAR.
TELE1 OC………OF BROADBAND ACCESS.” :09
DURING THE PANDEMIC, MEDICARE BEGAN COVERING PATIENT APPOINTMENTS CONDUCTED VIA VIDEO LINK AND OVER THE PHONE.
FEENSTRA SAYS MANY RURAL RESIDENTS HAVE NO WAY TO MAKE A VIDEO CONNECTION.
HE CITES A FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION REPORT WHICH FOUND 45 MILLION AMERICANS CANNOT GET BROADBAND WITH HIGH ENOUGH SPEEDS CAPABLE OF STREAMING VIDEO.
TELE2 OC…….RECEIVE ROUTINE CARE.” :15
THE U-S HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE BILL WEDNESDAY.
IT ALLOWS FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS AND RURAL HEALTH CLINICS TO BILL MEDICARE FOR TELEHEALTH AND DELAYS THE IN-PERSON VISIT REQUIREMENT FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR SENIORS.
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