Rep. Glenn Thompson

A bill put forward by Congressman Glenn Thompson would aim to lock in Medicare reimbursement for some telehealth services provided in rural areas.

Thompson and Rep. Ann Kuster (D-NH) have introduced the HEALTH – Helping Ensure Access to Local TeleHealth – Act.

According to a statement from Thompson’s office, the bill “secures Medicare reimbursement for telehealth services provided by community health centers and rural health clinics and “will continue to allow providers to utilize audio-only telehealth visits for patients who do not have access to broadband services.”

“As a former health care professional, who spent nearly 30 years serving rural populations, I am amazed at how telehealth makes life simpler for rural and underserved communities– and in particular their older residents,” Thompson said. “Continued use and promotion of these services will improve health equity by increasing access to care for our most vulnerable, especially in rural communities. The HEALTH Act cuts red tape and permanently allows community health centers and rural health clinics to provide telehealth services to their patients.”

The representatives highlight that during the pandemic telehealth “added tremendous reach and value to communities across the country, especially in rural America. The HEALTH Act builds upon previously enacted provisions in the COVID-19 relief packages and provides access to vital health care services for more seniors, regardless of their geographic location.”

The bill, introduced on Sept. 20, was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce as well as the Committee on Ways and Means.