119th (2025–2027)
H.R. 5081
H.R. 5081 extends and expands Medicare's telehealth services by pushing expiration dates for key flexibilities to 2027 and beyond, making remote medical care more accessible to seniors across the country. The bill removes geographic restrictions, expands eligible providers and service locations, continues audio-only telehealth options, and delays requirements for in-person mental health visits until 2027, while also extending the "hospital care at home" program through 2030. To address fraud concerns, the bill requires Medicare to flag suspicious billing patterns starting January 2028 and directs the HHS Inspector General to study fraud risks in laboratory testing by January 2026. Additionally, the bill improves telehealth access for non-English speakers, allows cardiopulmonary and diabetes prevention programs to be delivered at home via video, and requires a comprehensive study comparing outcomes and costs between home-based and traditional hospital care. These changes take effect at various points between 2025 and 2030, affecting Medicare beneficiaries, healthcare providers, and telehealth service providers nationwide.