Audio-Only Telehealth Access Act of 2025
The Audio-Only Telehealth Access Act of 2025 would amend Medicare (Title XVIII of the Social Security Act) to explicitly pay for audio-only telehealth services under Part B. Specifically, it would allow coverage and payment for telehealth services identified in a defined list (paragraph 4(F)(i) of Section 1834(m)) when those services are furnished via an audio-only communications system, starting from the date of enactment of this paragraph and on or after the first day of the emergency period described in 1135(g)(1)(B). In practical terms, this bill expands Medicare telehealth to include audio-only visits during declared emergencies, ensuring patients without video capabilities can access covered telehealth services and that providers are reimbursed for delivering them. The measure is limited to services listed in the specified paragraph and is tied to emergency periods defined by federal law. It was introduced in the House (H.R. 1899) on March 6, 2025, sponsored by Rep. Feenstra (with Rep. Pappas), and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Ways and Means.
Key Points
- 1Expands Medicare coverage to include audio-only telehealth services under Part B.
- 2Applies only to telehealth services identified in Section 1834(m)(4)(F)(i).
- 3Payments would be provided by the Secretary for these audio-only telehealth services.
- 4Coverage would apply to services furnished via an audio-only system on or after the first day of the emergency period described in 1135(g)(1)(B).
- 5The bill was introduced in the House (H.R. 1899, 119th Congress) and referred to relevant committees (Energy and Commerce; Ways and Means).