Codifying virtual cardiopulmonary rehabilitation flexibilities established in response to COVID–19

(a)

In general

Section 1861(eee)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(eee)(2)) is amended—(1)in subparagraph (A)(ii), by inserting , including in the home of an individual when furnished as a telehealth service through audio-visual real-time communications technology, or when such home is designated as a provider-based location of a hospital outpatient department after outpatient basis; and(2)in subparagraph (B), by inserting , including through the virtual presence of such physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist, through audio-visual real-time communications technology after under the program.(b)

Expanding originating sites

Section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)) is amended—(1)in paragraph (1), by striking and (9) and all that follows through (as defined in paragraph (4)(E)) and inserting , (9), and (10), the Secretary shall pay for telehealth services that are furnished via a telecommunications system by a physician (as defined in section 1861(r)) or a practitioner (as defined in paragraph (4)(E)), or by a hospital (as defined in section 1861(e));(2)in paragraph (2)(A), by striking or practitioner each place that it appears and inserting , practitioner, or hospital;(3)in paragraph (4)(A), by striking or practitioner and inserting , practitioner, or hospital; (4)in paragraph (4)(C)—(A)in clause (i), by striking and (7) and inserting (7), and (10); and(B)in clause (ii)(X), by striking paragraph (7) and inserting paragraphs (7) and (10);(5)in paragraph (4)(F)(i), by striking paragraph (8) and inserting paragraphs (8) and (10); and(6)by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(10)

Treatment of cardiac rehabilitation program, intensive cardiac rehabilitation program, and pulmonary rehabilitation program visits furnished through telehealth

In the case of items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2024, the geographic requirements described in paragraph (4)(C)(i) shall not apply with respect to telehealth services for cardiac rehabilitation programs and intensive cardiac rehabilitation programs (as such terms are defined in section 1861(eee)) and pulmonary rehabilitation programs (as defined in section 1861(fff)) at an originating site described in subclauses (V) and (X) of paragraph (4)(C)(ii).

(c)

Authority To establish standards and allow for certain programs To utilize telehealth services

(1)

In general

Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall— (A)establish standards for the designation of the home of an individual with status as a provider-based organization of a hospital consistent with waivers issued through the Hospital Without Walls program for cardiac rehabilitation, pulmonary rehabilitation, and intensive cardiac rehabilitation; and(B)include items and services furnished under cardiac rehabilitation program or under an intensive cardiac rehabilitation program (as such terms are defined in section 1861(eee) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(eee)), or under a pulmonary rehabilitation program (as defined in section 1861(fff) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(fff)) among telehealth services to be specified under section 1834(m)(4)(F) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(4)(F)). (2)

Effective date

The standards established under paragraph (1) shall apply to items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2024.(d)

Implementation

Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, the Secretary of Health and Human Services may implement the provisions of, and the amendments made by, this section by program instruction or otherwise.(e)

Effective date

The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) shall apply to items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2024.