Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB4206

Introduced

6/26/25

Refer

6/26/25

Caption

CONNECT for Health Act of 2025 Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2025

Impact

The bill emphasizes the importance of telehealth in increasing patient access to essential medical services, especially in rural or underserved areas where healthcare provider shortages exist. By allowing practitioners from different healthcare facilities to deliver remote services, it is expected to bridge the healthcare gap for patients who face logistical challenges in accessing traditional healthcare settings. Additionally, the bill includes considerations for Native American health facilities, ensuring they can leverage telehealth to better serve their communities.

Summary

House Bill 4206, titled the 'Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2025,' aims to amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to enhance access to telehealth services. This legislation seeks to eliminate existing geographic requirements and expand the types of facilities that are eligible to provide telehealth services under Medicare. One of the core provisions is the removal of the six-month in-person visit requirement for telemental health services, thereby facilitating greater access to mental healthcare through telecommunication methods.

Contention

Despite the broad support aiming to enhance healthcare delivery through telehealth, the bill also faces scrutiny regarding its provisions related to oversight and fraud prevention. There are concerns among some stakeholders about ensuring quality and safety in telehealth services as the usage expands, which could potentially place strains on existing oversight mechanisms. The balance between expanding necessary healthcare access and maintaining rigorous standards for care delivery has been highlighted as a crucial point of debate among lawmakers and healthcare advocates.

Latest HB4206 Activity

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB4189

CONNECT for Health Act of 2023 Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies for Health Act of 2023

US SB2016

CONNECT for Health Act of 2023 Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2023

US HB7274

Connecting Caregivers to Medicare Act of 2024

US HB10448

To combat loneliness and increase social connection, and for other purposes.

US HB9796

CHIERS Act of 2024 Connections to Health Infrastructure and Emergency Recovery Services Act of 2024

US SB3766

Connecting Caregivers to Medicare Act of 2024

US HB9161

Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2024 CHANGE Act Correcting Hurtful and Alienating Names in Government Expression Act Immigrants’ Mental Health Act of 2024 Menstrual Equity For All Act of 2024 Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act of 2024 Data To Save Moms Act CARE for Moms Act Community Access, Resources, and Empowerment for Moms Act Senior Hunger Prevention Act of 2024 Universal School Meals Program Act of 2024

US HB8532

Connected MOM Act Connected Maternal Online Monitoring Act

US HB8371

Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act Housing our Military Veterans Effectively Act of 2024

US HB5819

Connecting Our Medical Providers with Links to Expand Tailored and Effective Care Act

Similar Bills

US SB1261

CONNECT for Health Act of 2025 Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2025

US HB1784

Medicare Fraud Detection and Deterrence Act of 2025This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to deactivate the standard unique health identifiers of health care providers that are excluded from federal health care programs because of fraud, waste, or abuse.The bill also requires (1) any data submitted by Medicare Advantage plans with respect to durable medical equipment, prosthetics or orthotics, laboratory tests, imaging tests, or home health services to include the standard unique health identifier of the associated provider or supplier; and (2) health care practitioners who are employed by or contract with telehealth companies to use a specialized claims modifier (developed by CMS) for Medicare telehealth services.

US HB7623

Telehealth Modernization Act of 2024

US SB3967

Telehealth Modernization Act

US HB1785

Preventing Medicare Telefraud ActThis bill establishes conditions for payment of certain telehealth services, laboratory tests, and durable medical equipment under Medicare.Specifically, the bill conditions payment for certain high-cost laboratory tests and durable medical equipment that are ordered via telehealth on at least one in-person visit during the preceding six-month period. Additionally, practitioners must submit claims for separately billable telehealth services under the practitioner's unique national provider identification number.