1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Kidney Health Connect Act”.
Kidney Health Connect Act
A BILL
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand the ability of renal dialysis facilities to serve as originating sites for telehealth services under the Medicare program.
2. Expanding the ability of renal dialysis facilities to serve as originating sites for telehealth services under the Medicare program
In general— Section 1834(m)(4)(C)(ii)(IX) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(4)(C)(ii)(IX)) is amended by striking “, but only for purposes of section 1881(b)(3)(B)”.
Removal of geographic requirements— Section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)) is amended—
in paragraph (5)—
in the header, by inserting “and telehealth services furnished at a renal dialysis facility” after “visit”;
by striking “subclause (VI), (IX), or (X)” and inserting “subclause (VI) or (X)”; and
by inserting “, or with respect to telehealth services furnished for any purpose at an originating site described in subclause (IX) of such paragraph” before the period at the end; and
in paragraph (7)(A), by striking “(other than an originating site described in subclause (IX) of such paragraph)”.
Prohibition on facility fee— Section 1834(m)(2)(B)(ii) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(2)(B)(ii)) is amended—
in the header, by striking “if originating site is the home” and inserting “for certain originating sites”; and
by striking “described in paragraph (4)(C)(ii)(X)” and inserting “described in subclause (IX) or (X) of paragraph (4)(C)(ii)”.
Face-to-Face monthly requirement for certain services— Section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)) is amended—
in paragraph (1), by striking “Subject to paragraph (8)” and inserting “Subject to paragraphs (5)(B) and (8)”; and
in paragraph (5), as amended by subsection (b)(1)—
by striking “renal dialysis facility.—The geographic requirements” and inserting
“(A) Waiver of geographic requirements—The geographic requirements”
by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
“(B) Face-to-face monthly requirement—Subparagraph (A) shall apply to an individual, with respect to telehealth services furnished by a physician or practitioner for purposes of section 1881(b)(3)(A)(ii) (not including telehealth services rendered for purposes of section 1881(b)(3)(B)) at an originating site described in subclause (IX) of paragraph (4)(C)(ii) only if the individual had at least one face-to-face visit with a physician during the same calendar month such telehealth services were rendered.”