S. 3834

119 S3834 IS: Expanded Telehealth Access Act
 U.S. Senate
 2026-02-11
 text/xml
 EN
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 II  119th CONGRESS  2d Session  S. 3834  IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES   February 11, 2026   Mr. Daines  (for himself and  Ms. Smith ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the  Committee on Finance    A BILL
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand the scope of practitioners eligible for payment for telehealth services under the Medicare program, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Expanded Telehealth Access Act  .
2.
Expanding the scope of practitioners eligible for payment for telehealth services under Medicare
Section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m) ) is amended—
(1)
in paragraph (2)(A)—
(A)
by inserting  (or, in the case of an occupational therapy assistant described in paragraph (4)(E)(ii)(II) or a physical therapist assistant described in paragraph (4)(E)(ii)(III), shall pay with respect to such assistant)  before  located at a distant site ; and
(B)
by inserting  (or, in the case of an occupational therapy assistant described in paragraph (4)(E)(ii)(II) or a physical therapist assistant described in paragraph (4)(E)(ii)(III), the amount that would have been paid under this title with respect to such assistant)  after  would have been paid under this title ;
(2)
in paragraph (3)(B), by striking  under such section  and inserting  described in subparagraph (C) of such section ; and
(3)
in paragraph (4), by striking subparagraph (E) and inserting the following:
(E)
Practitioner
The term  practitioner  means any of the following:
(i)
A practitioner described in section 1842(b)(18)(C).
(ii)
With respect to services furnished on or after the date of the enactment of the Expanded Telehealth Access Act—
(I)
a qualified audiologist (as defined in section 1861(ll)(4)(B));
(II)
a qualified occupational therapist and an occupational therapy assistant under the supervision of a qualified occupational therapist;
(III)
a qualified physical therapist and a physical therapist assistant under the supervision of a qualified physical therapist;
(IV)
a qualified speech-language pathologist (as defined in section 1861(ll)(4)(A));
(V)
a facility that furnishes services described in paragraph (8) or (9) of section 1833(a) through telehealth; and
(VI)
any additional provider of services or supplier, as specified by the Secretary, who is enrolled under section 1866(j) and furnishes a telehealth service.
 .