What This Bill Does · Plain English
Summary · Congress.gov
Expanded Telehealth Access Act This bill expands the types of health care practitioners who may provide telehealth services under Medicare. Specifically, the bill permanently allows audiologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and other providers designated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to provide telehealth services under Medicare. It also specifically allows occupational therapy assistants and physical therapist assistants to provide such services.
Action Timeline
2026-02-11
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
2026-02-11
Introduced in Senate
Frequently Asked Questions
Did S.3834 pass?
S.3834 is still alive. Current stage: COMMITTEE. Pass likelihood: pending.
What does S.3834 do?
Expanded Telehealth Access Act This bill expands the types of health care practitioners who may provide telehealth services under Medicare. Specifically, the bill permanently allows audiologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and other providers designated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to provide telehealth services under Medicare. It also specifically allows occupational therapy assistants and physical therapist assistants to provide such services.
Who sponsored S.3834?
S.3834 was sponsored by Steve Daines (R-Montana).
Full Bill Text
119 S3834 IS: Expanded Telehealth Access Act U.S. Senate 2026-02-11 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 3834 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 11, 2026 Mr. Daines (for himself and Ms. Smith ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand the scope of practitioners eligible for payment for telehealth services under the Medicare program, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Expanded Telehealth Access Act . 2. Expanding the scope of practitioners eligible for payment for telehealth services under Medicare Section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (2)(A)— (A) by inserting (or, in the case of an occupational therapy assistant described in paragraph (4)(E)(ii)(II) or a physical therapist assistant described in paragraph (4)(E)(ii)(III), shall pay with respect to such assistant) before located at a distant site ; and (B) by inserting (or, in the case of an occupational therapy assistant described in paragraph (4)(E)(ii)(II) or a physical therapist assistant described in paragraph (4)(E)(ii)(III), the amount that would have been paid under this title with respect to such assistant) after would have been paid under this title ; (2) in paragraph (3)(B), by striking under such section and inserting described in subparagraph (C) of such section ; and (3) in paragraph (4), by striking subparagraph (E) and inserting the following: (E) Practitioner The term practitioner means any of the following: (i) A practitioner described in section 1842(b)(18)(C). (ii) With respect to services furnished on or after the date of the enactment of the Expanded Telehealth Access Act— (I) a qualified audiologist (as defined in section 1861(ll)(4)(B)); (II) a qualified occupational therapist and an occupational therapy assistant under the supervision of a qualified occupational therapist; (III) a qualified physical therapist and a physical therapist assistant under the supervision of a qualified physical therapist; (IV) a qualified speech-language pathologist (as defined in section 1861(ll)(4)(A)); (V) a facility that furnishes services described in paragraph (8) or (9) of section 1833(a) through telehealth; and (VI) any additional provider of services or supplier, as specified by the Secretary, who is enrolled under section 1866(j) and furnishes a telehealth service. .
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