Us Congress Senate Bill SB2016

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 6/15/23
• Refer: 6/15/23

Caption

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

Impact

This legislation is poised to have a substantial impact on how telehealth services are delivered in the United States. The removal of geographic restrictions means that Medicare beneficiaries will have improved access to essential telehealth services regardless of their physical location. Furthermore, by allowing homes and other clinical settings as originating sites, the bill encourages greater use of telehealth, particularly in cases where in-person visits may be difficult or impractical, thus potentially increasing patient engagement and satisfaction.

Summary

SB2016, also known as the CONNECT for Health Act of 2023, aims to enhance access to telehealth services by amending Title XVIII of the Social Security Act. The bill seeks to remove geographic restrictions for telehealth services and expands eligible originating sites, effectively allowing patients to receive telehealth care from their homes or other locations. It also broadens the types of practitioners who can provide telehealth services, which is particularly significant for rural and underserved communities. By facilitating a more inclusive telehealth framework, the bill aims to improve healthcare equity across different demographics.

Contention

Notable concerns surrounding SB2016 focus on potential misuse and fraudulent practices associated with expanded telehealth services. While improving access is widely supported, some legislators worry about maintaining the integrity of telehealth practices, particularly regarding billing. The bill introduces measures to identify outlier billing patterns, ensuring that practitioners who demonstrate significantly higher charges compared to their peers are monitored closely. The legislation balances enhancing access with the need for oversight to prevent abuse of the telehealth system.