117 S4307 IS: Kidney Health Connect Act U.S. Senate 2022-05-25 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II117th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 4307IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMay 25, 2022Mr. Warner (for himself and Mr. Barrasso) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on FinanceA BILLTo 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.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Kidney Health Connect Act.

2.

Expanding the ability of renal dialysis facilities to serve as originating sites for telehealth services under the Medicare program

(a)

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).(b)

Removal of geographic requirements

Section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)) is amended—(1)in paragraph (5)—(A)in the header, by inserting and telehealth services furnished at a renal dialysis facility after visit;(B)by striking subclause (VI), (IX), or (X) and inserting subclause (VI) or (X); and(C)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(2)in paragraph (7)(A), by striking (other than an originating site described in subclause (IX) of such paragraph). (c)

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—(1)in the header, by striking if originating site is the home and inserting for certain originating sites; and(2)by striking described in paragraph (4)(C)(ii)(X) and inserting described in subclause (IX) or (X) of paragraph (4)(C)(ii).(d)

Face-to-Face monthly requirement for certain services

Section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)) is amended—(1)in paragraph (1), by striking Subject to paragraph (8) and inserting Subject to paragraphs (5)(B) and (8); and(2)in paragraph (5), as amended by subsection (b)(1)—(A)by striking renal dialysis facility.—The geographic requirements and inserting renal dialysis facility.—(A)

Waiver of geographic requirements

The geographic requirements; and(B)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..