H.R. 1785 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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, Mar 3, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryMedicare adds in-person visit requirement
The bill sets new rules for what Medicare will pay for when doctors order certain expensive lab tests and medical equipment through telehealth visits. Before Medicare pays for these high-cost items ordered remotely, the patient must have had an in-person appointment with that doctor in the past six months. The bill also requires doctors to use their own unique identification number when billing Medicare for telehealth services.
How it affects you
If you're on Medicare and use telehealth to see a doctor, this could affect you if you need expensive lab work or medical equipment ordered during those visits. You'd need to have seen that same doctor in person within the previous six months before Medicare will cover those pricey items. The change is meant to add a safeguard to prevent fraud in telehealth billing.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Mar 3, 2025)
Preventing Medicare Telefraud Act
This bill establishes conditions for payment of certain telehealth services, laboratory tests, and durable medical equipment under Medicare.
Specifically, the bill conditions payment for certain high-cost laboratory tests and durable medical equipment that are ordered via telehealth on at least one in-person visit during the preceding six-month period. Additionally, practitioners must submit claims for separately billable telehealth services under the practitioner's unique national provider identification number.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 1785
A BILL
Preventing Medicare Telefraud Act
Sponsor: Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-37) · Introduced Mar 3, 2025 · Health · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Mar 3, 2025: “Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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.”