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CONNECT for Health Act of 2021

Introduced: April 29, 2021 Introduced by: Schatz, Brian Democratic · Hawaii See on congress.gov

Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps

Introduced

In committee

Reported out

Passed House

Passed Senate

To President

Became law

Apr 29, 2021

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Apr 29, 2021

Introduced in Senate

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Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2021 or the CONNECT for Health Act of 2021

This bill expands coverage of telehealth services under Medicare.

Among other provisions, the bill

allows the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to waive certain restrictions, such as restrictions on the types of technology that may be used;
permanently removes geographic restrictions on originating sites (i.e., the location of the beneficiary) and allows the home of the beneficiary to serve as the originating site for all services;
permanently allows federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics to serve as the distant site (i.e., the location of the health care practitioner); and
allows the CMS to generally waive coverage restrictions during any public health emergency.

Additionally, the CMS must report on the effects of expanded telehealth services during the COVID-19 public health emergency, including with respect to the utilization, quality, and outcomes of services. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation may also test alternative payment models relating to expanded telehealth services.