H.R. 5837 · 117th Congress · House

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand access to telehealth services relating to substance use disorder treatment, and for other purposes.

Active· Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Introduced
Nov 3, 21
Passed House
Pending
Passed Senate
Pending
Sent to President
Pending
Signed into Law
Pending

Executive Summary

This bill modifies requirements relating to coverage of certain telehealth services under Medicare. Specifically, the bill permanently allows telehealth services for substance-use disorders and mental health disorders to be provided via audio-only technology and without an initial in-person evaluation.

Schedule III or IV controlled substances may also be prescribed online if a practitioner has conducted a telehealth evaluation with video; certain opioid agonists may be prescribed via audio-only technology if the beneficiary initially lacks access to video technology but receives a follow-up evaluation via video within 10 days.

The Department of Health and Human Services must establish an interagency task force to study the utilization and effect of opioid agonist prescriptions that are issued via telehealth.

Action Timeline

8
  1. NOV 01, 2022•Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

  2. NOV 04, 2021•Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

  3. NOV 03, 2021•IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  4. NOV 03, 2021•IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  5. NOV 03, 2021•IntroReferral

    Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  6. NOV 03, 2021•IntroReferral

    Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  7. NOV 03, 2021•IntroReferral

    Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  8. NOV 03, 2021•Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Committees

6

Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Subcommittee

hsju08

Referred: Nov 1, 2022

Active

Health Subcommittee

hsif14

Referred: Nov 4, 2021

Active

Health Subcommittee

hswm02

Referred: Nov 3, 2021

Active

Judiciary Committee

hsju00

Referred: Nov 3, 2021

Active

Ways and Means Committee

hswm00

Referred: Nov 3, 2021

Active

Energy and Commerce Committee

hsif00

Referred: Nov 3, 2021

Active