113 HR 3077 IH: TELEmedicine for MEDicare Act of 2013 U.S. House of Representatives 2013-09-10 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I113th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 3077IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESSeptember 10, 2013Mr. Nunes (for himself and Mr. Pallone) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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 concernedA BILLTo amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to permit certain Medicare providers licensed in a State to provide telemedicine services to certain Medicare beneficiaries in a different State.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the TELEmedicine for MEDicare Act of 2013 or as the TELE–MED Act of 2013.

2.

Permitting certain Medicare providers licensed in a State to provide telemedicine services to certain Medicare beneficiaries in a different State

Title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

1899B.

Permitting certain Medicare providers licensed in a State to provide telemedicine services to certain Medicare beneficiaries in a different State

(a)

In general

In the case of a Medicare participating physician or practitioner who is licensed or otherwise legally authorized to provide a health care service in a State, such physician or practitioner may provide such a service as a telemedicine service to a Medicare beneficiary who is in a different State, and any requirement that such physician or practitioner obtain a comparable license or other comparable legal authorization from such different State with respect to the provision of such health care service by such physician or practitioner to such beneficiary shall not apply.(b)

Enforcement

With respect to the provision of a service pursuant to this section, the licensing or authorizing State has jurisdiction to enforce the licensure or other legal authorization requirements of such primary State, including through disciplinary actions used by such State as of the day before the date of the enactment of this section.(c)

Process To establish telemedicine service definition

Not later than 9 months after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall issue guidance to the States for developing a definition of the term telemedicine services for purposes of applying this section. For purposes of issuing such guidance, the Secretary shall solicit input from relevant stakeholders, including patients, health care providers, State government officials, health technology developers, insurers, employers, licensing boards, community health organizations, and other Federal agencies.(d)

Report

Not later than 12 months after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the plans to develop and expand the use of current and emerging Internet and communications technologies to expand access of Medicare beneficiaries to health programs.(e)

Definitions

For purposes of this section:(1)

Medicare beneficiary

The term Medicare beneficiary means an individual entitled to benefits under part A or enrolled under part B.(2)

Qualifying physician or practitioner

The term Medicare participating physician or practitioner means the following:(A)A physician (as defined in section 1861(r)) who is a participating physician or supplier (as defined in section 1842(h)(1)).(B)A practitioner (as defined in section 1842(b)(18)(C)) who is a participating physician or supplier (as defined in section 1842(h)(1)).(f)

Construction

Nothing in this section may be construed to remove, limit, or otherwise affect any obligation of a covered health care professional under the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.).

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