On February 2, a bipartisan group of Senators introduced a bill, S. 2484 (CONNECT for Health Act), to expand the scope of Medicare reimbursements for telehealth and remote patient monitoring (RPM) services. (An identical bill, H.R. 4442 was introduced in the House on February 3.)

If enacted, the bill would waive, for certain providers, existing statutory limitations on Medicare payments for telehealth and RPM services, including limitations based on the patient’s geographic location and on the type of health care provider. It would also permit substitution of telehealth and RPM services for in-person services in several circumstances (for example, permitting Medicare payment for RPM services for individuals with certain chronic health conditions and permitting telehealth to meet the monthly in-person visit requirement for certain home dialysis treatment). Finally, the bill would permit Medicare Advantage plans to use telehealth and RPM services to provide basic benefits under Medicare Part C.

Based on a report by Avalere Health, the bill’s sponsors claim that it would save the federal government $1.8 billion over 10 years. The bill has been endorsed by numerous organizations including AARP, the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, and the American Telemedicine Association.

Covington Digital Health Team

Stakeholders across the healthcare, technology and communications industries seek to harness the power of data and information technology to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of their products, solutions and services, create new and cutting-edge innovations, and achieve better outcomes for patients. Partnering with…

Stakeholders across the healthcare, technology and communications industries seek to harness the power of data and information technology to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of their products, solutions and services, create new and cutting-edge innovations, and achieve better outcomes for patients. Partnering with lawyers who understand how the regulatory, IP, and commercial pieces of the digital health puzzle fit together is essential. Covington offers unsurpassed breadth and depth of expertise and experience concerning the legal, regulatory, and policy issues that affect digital health products and services. To learn more, click here.