Medicare Telehealth: Audio-Only Consultations Allowed During Emergencies.
This bill grants permanent authority, starting January 1, 2025, for Medicare to reimburse audio-only telehealth services during declared national emergencies or public health crises. This ensures beneficiaries without reliable video access can still receive necessary medical care via phone. Crucially, these audio-only services will be reimbursed at the same rate as in-person visits.
Key points
Allows Medicare coverage for medical consultations conducted solely by phone (audio-only) during declared national emergencies or disasters.
The change takes effect January 1, 2025, ensuring continued access to care for beneficiaries, especially those in remote or disaster-affected areas.
Audio-only services will receive payment parity, meaning they are reimbursed at the same rate as in-person services.
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