Bill Boosts Medicare-Paid Telemedicine

HDM Breaking News, May 14, 2009

Legislation recently introduced in the House of Representatives would significantly increase Medicare reimbursement for telemedicine services.

These services would include "telehealth" services that enable the remote monitoring of home-based chronically ill patients. Medicare presently has a limited telemedicine reimbursement policy targeting rural regions. The legislation, H.R. 2068, would expand Medicare reimbursement to urban and suburban areas, and expand the types of facilities eligible for payment.

The bill also would authorize $30 million in grant funds to help provider organizations pay for necessary equipment. Sponsors include Reps. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), Lee Terry (R-Neb.) and Sam Johnson (R-Texas). The bill was referred to the Energy and Commerce, and Ways and Means Committees.

Text of H.R. 2068 is available at congress.gov.

--Joseph Goedert

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