Bill Sponsor
Senate Bill 1512
117th Congress(2021-2022)
CONNECT for Health Act of 2021
Introduced
Introduced
Introduced in Senate on Apr 29, 2021
Overview
Text
Introduced
Apr 29, 2021
Latest Action
Apr 29, 2021
Origin Chamber
Senate
Type
Bill
Bill
The primary form of legislative measure used to propose law. Depending on the chamber of origin, bills begin with a designation of either H.R. or S. Joint resolution is another form of legislative measure used to propose law.
Bill Number
1512
Congress
117
Policy Area
Health
Health
Primary focus of measure is science or practice of the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease; health services administration and funding, including such programs as Medicare and Medicaid; health personnel and medical education; drug use and safety; health care coverage and insurance; health facilities. Measures concerning controlled substances and drug trafficking may fall under Crime and Law Enforcement policy area.
Sponsorship by Party
Democrat
Hawaii
Democrat
Arizona
Republican
Arkansas
Republican
Arkansas
Democrat
California
Democrat
Connecticut
Democrat
Delaware
Democrat
Delaware
Republican
Indiana
Republican
Louisiana
Democrat
Maryland
Democrat
Massachusetts
Democrat
Minnesota
Democrat
Minnesota
Republican
Mississippi
Republican
Mississippi
Republican
Missouri
Democrat
Montana
Republican
Nebraska
Republican
Nebraska
Democrat
New Hampshire
Democrat
New Hampshire
Democrat
New Jersey
Democrat
New Mexico
Democrat
New Mexico
Republican
North Carolina
Republican
North Dakota
Republican
North Dakota
Republican
Oklahoma
Democrat
Rhode Island
Republican
South Carolina
Republican
South Carolina
Republican
South Dakota
Republican
South Dakota
Democrat
Virginia
Democrat
Virginia
Democrat
Washington
Senate Votes (0)
House Votes (0)
No Senate votes have been held for this bill.
Summary

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.

Text (1)
April 29, 2021
Actions (2)
04/29/2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
04/29/2021
Introduced in Senate
Public Record
Record Updated
Mar 8, 2023 8:26:33 PM