To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to protect access to telehealth services under the Medicare program.

Sponsor: Chris Pappas (Democratic-NH)February 9, 2026

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In Committee

Passed One Chamber

Passed Both Chambers

Signed into Law

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.

Expands Medicare telehealth access, letting seniors get care from home and through audio-only calls.

This bill would make it easier for people on Medicare to get healthcare through telehealth. It would remove rules that limit where you can get telehealth. This would allow your home to be your doctor's office for virtual visits starting January 1, 2027. It also helps rural hospitals and clinics offer more telehealth and covers certain audio-only phone calls for care.

What Would Change

Today, Medicare rules limit where patients can be located for telehealth, restrict the types of services available from home, and generally don't cover audio-only telehealth. Telehealth options for rural clinics are also temporary. This bill would remove geographic limits for telehealth, allow all telehealth services to be received from a patient's home, and cover certain audio-only services starting January 1, 2027. It would also make telehealth options permanent and improve payment for rural hospitals and clinics.

Key Provisions

Lets Medicare beneficiaries get telehealth services from anywhere, ending geographic limits starting January 1, 2027.
Allows a Medicare beneficiary's home to be an official location for all telehealth services starting January 1, 2027.
Covers certain telehealth services, like check-ups and counseling, when provided using only audio phone calls starting January 1, 2027.
Establishes new telehealth options for Critical Access Hospitals, paying them 101 percent of their costs for these services.
Extends Medicare telehealth options for Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics, setting up a new payment system for their virtual care starting January 1, 2027.

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HR 7444 · 119th Congress · February 9, 2026 · AI Summary by gemini-2.5-flash · 10/10

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to protect access to telehealth services under the Medicare program.

What Would Change

Key Provisions

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