H.R. 7878 — Introduced in House

I 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7878 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 24, 2022Mr. Wenstrup (for himself, Mr. Kildee, Mr. Joyce of Pennsylvania, and Ms. Blunt Rochester) introduced the following bill; which was 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 A BILL To 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 of 2022. 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 Paragraph (1) 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. .