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Legislative Action Center

Protect Access to OT via Telehealth—Urge Congress to Act
The use of telehealth to deliver a wide range of services, including occupational therapy, has expanded significantly since 2020 when Congress enacted temporary waivers allowing more types of practitioners, including occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants (OTPs), to provide services to Medicare beneficiaries via telehealth. These waivers were extended multiple times, and they are now in effect through December 31, 2027.   

To address permanent telehealth policy, Representatives Mike Kelly (R-PA), Mike Thompson (D-CA), and Adrian Smith (R-NE) have introduced H.R. 1614, which would permanently authorize OTPs and other therapists as Medicare telehealth providers, and Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Tina Smith (D-MN) have introduced the Expanded Telehealth Access Act (S.3834) which would do the same thing. Reps Buddy Carter (R-GA) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) have introduced the Telehealth Modernization Act (H.R.5081/S.2709) which was essentially enacted in February 2026 to extend telehealth waivers through the end of 2027.

AOTA urges Congress to enact legislation to list OTPs as telehealth providers in Medicare on a permanent basis.

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