Bill would bolster telehealth services

A bipartisan contingent of lawmakers has introduced the Home Health Emergency Access to Telehealth (HEAT) Act, a bill that would provide Medicare reimbursements for audio and video telehealth services furnished by home health agencies during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“I know firsthand the benefits of home healthcare,” said U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL), who was joined by Reps. Roger Marshall (R-KS), Jodey Arrington (R-TX) and Mike Thompson, (D-CA). The bill was carried in the Senate by Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME), and Ben Cardin (D-MD).

“When my dad was left wheelchair-bound after a series of strokes, we were fortunate enough to find home healthcare from highly skilled and caring healthcare professionals” Sewell said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance this bicameral and bipartisan legislation so that patients can continue to receive the care they deserve in their homes.”