Mental Health Care Provider Retention Act of 2025

House Bill

H.R. 5611

119th Congress

Mental Health Care Provider Retention Act of 2025

In Committee

Introduced:Sep 26, 2025

Primary Sponsor

David Scott

Representative

Democratic

GA-13

Cosponsors

20

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Health

Summary

This bill aims to expand Medicare coverage for telehealth services, including audio-only options. It would allow federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics to provide telehealth services and be paid the same as for in-person visits, rather than a separate, potentially lower rate.

Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill aims to expand Medicare coverage for telehealth services, including audio-only options. It would allow federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics to provide telehealth services and be paid the same as for in-person visits, rather than a separate, potentially lower rate.

Last updated: 12/29/2025

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Helping Ensure Access to Local TeleHealth Act of 2023 or the HEALTH Act of 2023 This bill modifies requirements relating to Medicare coverage of telehealth services, including services that are furnished by federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and rural health clinics (RHCs). Specifically, the bill expands coverage to include audio-only telehealth services. It also permanently allows FQHCs and RHCs to serve as the distant site (i.e., the location of the health care practitioner) for telehealth services and excludes such services from certain geographic restrictions. Payment must be made in the same manner as for non-telehealth services, rather than in accordance with a separate methodology determined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Expands Medicare coverage to include audio-only telehealth services
Permanently allows federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics to serve as the location for telehealth appointments
Requires Medicare to pay for telehealth services at the same rate as in-person visits

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

This bill would make it easier for Medicare patients, especially those in rural or underserved areas, to access health care services remotely. It could improve access to mental health care and other medical specialties that are often in short supply outside of major cities. The expanded coverage and payment parity could also encourage more health care providers to offer telehealth services.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Health

Related Subjects

Administrative law and regulatory procedures

Department of Health and Human Services

Health care costs and insurance

Health care coverage and access

Health technology, devices, supplies

Medicare

Telephone and wireless communication

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

5611, 119th Congress (2025). "Mental Health Care Provider Retention Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-5611