H.R. 5496 · 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, Sep 18, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryExpands Medicare telehealth coverage and payments
This bill changes how Medicare covers telehealth services, which are doctor visits by phone or video. It adds coverage for audio-only calls, lets community health clinics and rural clinics permanently provide care from their own location during telehealth visits, and removes certain geographic limits that currently apply. It also says these telehealth services should be paid the same way as regular in-person visits.
How it affects you
If you're on Medicare, this makes it easier to get telehealth care, especially through community health centers and rural clinics near you. You'd have the option of audio-only visits, which can be simpler than video calls, and these services would be treated the same way Medicare treats regular doctor visits.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Sep 18, 2025)
Helping Ensure Access to Local TeleHealth Act of 2025 or the HEALTH Act of 2025
This bill modifies requirements relating to Medicare coverage of telehealth services, including services that are furnished by federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and rural health clinics (RHCs).
Specifically, the bill expands coverage to include audio-only telehealth services. It also permanently allows FQHCs and RHCs to serve as the distant site (i.e., the location of the health care practitioner) for telehealth services and excludes such services from certain geographic restrictions. Payment must be made in the same manner as for non-telehealth services, rather than in accordance with a separate methodology determined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
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. 5496
A BILL
HEALTH Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-PA-15) · Introduced Sep 18, 2025 · Health · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Sep 18, 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.”
Sections
Sections · 2
- Sec. 1Short titleNo change
- Sec. 2Providing for permanent cost-related payments for telehealth services furnished by federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics under the Medicare program and permanently removing originating site facility and location requirements for distant site telehealth services furnished by such centers and such clinicsNo change