A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Expanded Telehealth Access Act aims to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act. The primary goal is to expand the scope of practitioners who are eligible for payment for telehealth services under the Medicare program. This includes specific additions for occupational therapy assistants and physical therapist assistants. The bill also expands the definition of a "practitioner" to include various professionals. These changes would apply to services furnished on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +5
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
The bill increases healthcare access by allowing Medicare to pay for telehealth services provided by occupational therapy assistants, physical therapist assistants, audiologists, and speech-language pathologists.
- Scored +4
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
Seniors on Medicare benefit from expanded telehealth options through various therapy assistants and specialists.
- Scored +4
Would retired people be better off under this?
Retirees benefit from increased accessibility to therapeutic and specialized healthcare services via telehealth.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Expanded Payment for Assistants: The bill amends paragraph (2)(A) and paragraph (s) to allow for payments regarding occupational therapy assistants and physical therapist assistants. This expands the scope of eligible practitioners for payment under Medicare. (Section 2)
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Broader Definition of Practitioners: The bill expands the definition of "practitioner" in paragraph (4) to include qualified audiologists, qualified occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, qualified physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and qualified speech-language pathologists. (Section 2)
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Increased Provider Options: The new definition of "practitioner" includes facilities that furnish certain services through telehealth and any additional providers or suppliers specified by the Secretary who are enrolled under section 1866(j). (Section 2)
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts or burdens are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would retired people be better off under this? — Retirees benefit from increased accessibility to therapeutic and specialized healthcare services via telehealth. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Seniors on Medicare benefit from expanded telehealth options through various therapy assistants and specialists.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill increases healthcare access by allowing Medicare to pay for telehealth services provided by occupational therapy assistants, physical therapist assistants, audiologists, and speech-language pathologists. Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65? — The bill expands the scope of eligible practitioners for reimbursement under the Medicare program.
- 2/11/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Tina SmithDemocrat · Minnesota