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Adds two new clauses to the end of 42 U.S.C. 1395m(a)(1)(E): (vi) establishes limits on payment for high-cost durable medical equipment ordered via telehealth (effective 180 days after enactment) unless an in-person service occurred within the prior 6 months and directs the CMS Administrator to define 'high-cost durable medical equipment'; and (vii) requires Medicare administrative contractors to begin reviews (starting 6 months after enactment) with a 12‑month lookback to identify providers prescribing DME via telehealth at least 90% of the time and to audit claims for identified providers.
Adds new paragraphs to 42 U.S.C. 1395m–1(b): a paragraph (6) that limits payment for 'high-cost' laboratory tests ordered via telehealth (effective 180 days after enactment) unless an in-person service occurred within the prior 6 months and directs the CMS Administrator to define 'high-cost laboratory test'; and a paragraph (7) requiring Medicare administrative contractors to begin periodic reviews (starting 6 months after enactment) with a 12‑month lookback to identify providers prescribing laboratory tests via telehealth at least 90% of the time and to audit claims for identified providers.
Adds a new paragraph (10) to subsection (m) of 42 U.S.C. 1395m requiring that, for separately billable telehealth services furnished on or after 180 days after enactment, payment may not be made unless the physician or practitioner submits the claim using their National Provider Identifier (NPI).
Tightens Medicare rules for telehealth-related orders and claims. Medicare will not pay for high‑cost durable medical equipment (DME) or high‑cost lab tests ordered after a telehealth visit unless the ordering clinician saw the patient in person at least once in the prior 6 months. Medicare contractors must also review claims and audit clinicians who order an unusually high share of these items via telehealth.
Requires physicians and practitioners to include their National Provider Identifier (NPI) on claims for separately billable telehealth services. Starting 180 days after enactment, Medicare will deny payment for such telehealth claims that do not include the billing provider’s NPI.
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.
Introduced March 3, 2025 by Lloyd Alton Doggett · Last progress March 3, 2025