Upton unveils bill to increase Medicaid reimbursements for telehealth services

U.S. Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) on April 17 introduced a bipartisan bill that would provide for a temporary increase in federal financial participation under the Medicaid program for telehealth services.

“Telemedicine services in Michigan and in states across the nation are vital to protecting the public health and safety during this global pandemic,” said Rep. Upton. “This bipartisan legislation is simply common sense and urges states to expand telehealth services, helping to keep both patients and our health care workers safe.”

Rep. Upton is the lead original cosponsor of the Modernized Medicine Act, H.R. 6538, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy (D-MA), to temporarily increase Medicaid reimbursement rates during a declared emergency when a state expands telehealth services.

If enacted, the increase in the Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentage (FMAP) under the bill would decrease the financial burden for states and would open up access to healthcare providers, according to Rep. Upton’s April 17 statement.

Increasing FMAP rates “will ensure providers can bring innovative care directly into their patients’ homes in times of crisis,” added Rep. Kennedy.

H.R. 6538 has been referred to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee for consideration.

“I’d encourage the House to advance this bill, give our health care system another tool to help patients, and get it across the finish line,” Rep. Upton said.