To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to remove in-person requirements under Medicare for mental health services furnished through telehealth and telecommunications technology.
Latest Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Official Summary
Official summary has not been imported yet.
GovScope Watchdog™
AI Government Intelligence™This bill, H.R. 8227, proposes an amendment to Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to eliminate the requirement for in-person visits under Medicare for mental health services delivered via telehealth and telecommunications technology. The goal is to allow beneficiaries to receive mental health care remotely without needing to be physically present, potentially increasing access to these services. The bill was introduced in the House during the 118th Congress but did not advance beyond referral to the Subcommittee on Health before expiring.
H.R. 8227 aimed to expand Medicare coverage for mental health telehealth services by removing in-person visit requirements, but the bill expired without further action.
- The bill targets Medicare mental health services, specifically those furnished through telehealth and telecommunications technology.
- It seeks to remove the existing in-person visit requirement for these services under Medicare.
- The bill was referred to the House Subcommittee on Health but did not progress further and is now expired.
['Medicare beneficiaries requiring mental health services', 'Mental health care providers offering telehealth services', 'Healthcare systems and organizations facilitating telehealth']
['Implementation challenges related to ensuring quality and continuity of care without in-person visits', 'Potential costs associated with expanded telehealth coverage under Medicare', 'Oversight mechanisms to monitor telehealth service delivery and prevent misuse or fraud']
The bill was introduced in the 118th Congress and referred to the Subcommittee on Health but did not advance, resulting in its expiration. It reflects ongoing legislative interest in expanding telehealth services within Medicare, particularly for mental health care, a policy area that has seen increased attention due to technological advances and public health considerations.
Hidden impact flags detected: 2
GovScope reviewed 2 policy-risk categories. Hover for a quick definition. Click detected flags for bill-specific details.
['Increased access to mental health services for rural or mobility-limited Medicare beneficiaries due to telehealth availability.', 'Potential shifts in provider practice patterns favoring telehealth delivery models.', 'Possible changes in healthcare infrastructure investment toward telehealth technologies.']
The bill lacks publicly available full text and official summary, limiting detailed analysis. Oversight considerations are important given the removal of in-person requirements, which historically serve as a control mechanism. Monitoring implementation and cost impacts will be critical if similar legislation is reintroduced.
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