S. 3539 - Telehealth Expansion Act

116TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION

S. 3539

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exempt telehealth
services from certain high deductible health plan rules.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

MARCH 19, 2020

Mr. DAINES introduced the following bill; which was
read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance

A BILL

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exempt telehealth services from certain high deductible health plan rules.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the "Telehealth Expansion Act".

SEC. 2. EXEMPTION FOR TELEHEALTH SERVICES.

(a) IN GENERAL. — Paragraph (2) of section 223(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

‘‘(E) SAFE HARBOR FOR ABSENCE OF DEDUCTIBLE FOR TELEHEALTH. — In the case of plan years beginning on or before December 31, 2021, a plan shall not fail to be treated as a high deductible health plan by reason of failing to have a deductible for telehealth and other remote care services.’’.

(b) CERTAIN COVERAGE DISREGARDED. — Clause (ii) of section 223(c)(1)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking "or long-term care" and inserting "long-term care, or (in the case of plan years beginning on or before December 31, 2021) telehealth and other remote care".

(c) EFFECTIVE DATE. — The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.