United States 115th Congress Status: In Committee 1 R cosponsors

HR 2556 — CONNECT for Health Act of 2017

Last action — Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 115th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there are no live odds of enactment. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2017 or the CONNECT for Health Act of 2017 This bill makes a series of changes to expand coverage of telehealth services under Medicare, including by exempting certain telehealth services (e.g., specified renal dialysis and stroke evaluation services) from originating site requirements.

Bill Text

How this bill changes current law

4 changes Share ↗

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill expands access to telehealth services under Medicare, removing various restrictions.

  • 42 U.S.C. 1395jjj

    (l) Providing ACOs the Ability To Expand the Use of Telehealth Services.--(1) In general.--(A) Expanding use of telehealth services.--In the case of telehealth services for which payment would otherwise be made under this title furnished on or after January 1, 2018, for purposes of this subsection only, the restrictions applicable to the coverage of telehealth services under section 1834(m) described in subparagraph (B) shall not apply with respect to such services furnished to a Medicare fee-for-service beneficiary assigned to an applicable ACO (as defined in paragraph (2)).

    This change allows Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries in accountable care organizations to access telehealth services without usual coverage restrictions.

  • 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)

    The geographic requirements described in paragraph (4)(C)(i) shall not apply with respect to telehealth services furnished on or after January 1, 2018, for purposes of section 1881(b)(3)(B), at an originating site described in subclause (VI), (IX), or (X) of paragraph (4)(C)(ii)), subject to applicable State law requirements, including State licensure requirements. → The geographic requirements described in paragraph (4)(C)(i) shall not apply with respect to telehealth services furnished on or after January 1, 2018, for purposes of section 1881(b)(3)(B), at an originating site described in subclause (IX) or (X) of paragraph (4)(C)(ii), subject to applicable State law requirements, including State licensure requirements.

    This amendment exempts certain dialysis care telehealth services from geographic restrictions.

  • 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(2)(B)

    No facility fee shall be paid under this subparagraph to an originating site described in paragraph (4)(C)(ii)(X). → No facility fee shall be paid under this subparagraph to an originating site described in paragraph (4)(C)(ii)(X).

    This modification clarifies that no facility fee will be paid for telehealth services provided at home for dialysis therapy.

  • 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)

    (6) Treatment of stroke telehealth services.--(A) Nonapplication of originating site requirements.--The requirements described in paragraph (4)(C) shall not apply with respect to telehealth services furnished on or after January 1, 2018, for purposes of evaluation of an acute stroke, as determined by the Secretary, subject to applicable State law requirements, including State licensure requirements.

    This change allows telehealth services for acute stroke evaluations without the usual originating site restrictions.

Action History

  1. Introduced in House

  2. Introduced in House

  3. Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  4. Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  5. Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  6. Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

  7. Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 546 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (546)

546 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Subjects

healthcare health-insurance
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Frequently asked questions

What does HR 2556 do?
Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2017 or the CONNECT for Health Act of 2017 This bill makes a series of changes to expand coverage of telehealth services under Medicare, including by exempting certain telehealth services (e.g., specified renal dialysis and stroke evaluation services) from originating site requirements.
Who sponsors HR 2556?
HR 2556 is sponsored by Black, Diane (Republican).
What is the current status of HR 2556?
This bill died with 115th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HR 2556?
Track HR 2556 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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