116 S3651 IS: Telemental Health Care Access Act of 2024 U.S. Senate 2024-01-24 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.

II118th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 3651IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJanuary 24, 2024Mr. Cassidy (for himself, Ms. Smith, Mr. Thune, and Mr. Cardin) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on FinanceA BILLTo amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure coverage of mental health services furnished through telehealth.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Telemental Health Care Access Act of 2024.

2.

Ensuring coverage for mental health services furnished through telehealth

(a)

In general

Section 1834(m)(7) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(7)) is amended—(1)in subparagraph (A), by striking subject to subparagraph (B),;(2)by striking (A) In general.—The geographic and inserting The geographic; and(3)by striking subparagraph (B).(b)

Effective date

The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect as if included in the enactment of section 123 of division CC of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law 116–260).

3.

Study and report on utilization of mental health services furnished through telehealth

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall submit to Congress a report on the utilization of mental health services furnished through telehealth under section 1834(m)(7) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(7)), that includes any recommendations of the Secretary regarding—(1)fraud or abuse prevention with respect to such services; and(2)additional funding that the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services may require for purposes of conducting audits, investigations, and other oversight and enforcement activities with respect to the furnishing of such services.