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A bill to require the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to test the effect of including telehealth services in Medicare health care delivery reform models.

USA115th CongressS-787| Senate 
| Updated: 3/30/2017
Cory Gardner

Cory Gardner

Republican Senator

Colorado

Cosponsors (2)
Jon Tester (Democratic)Gary C. Peters (Democratic)

Finance Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Telehealth Innovation and Improvement Act of 2017 This bill amends titles XI (General Provisions) and XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to establish: (1) a telehealth service model, and (2) Medicare payment rules with respect to certain services tested under the model. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) shall test Medicare coverage of expanded telehealth services, as defined by the bill, in conjunction with existing models that test the use of accountable care organizations, bundled payments, and other coordinated care models under Medicare. CMS must: (1) establish a methodology for determining the amounts of payment for such services, and (2) provide for evaluations of the service model by an independent entity. CMS shall expand the application of a service tested under the model if: (1) the required evaluation demonstrates that the service either reduced Medicare spending without reducing the quality of care or improved the quality of care without increasing spending, and (2) the Chief Actuary of CMS certifies that such expansion would reduce net program spending. A service that meets these requirements is defined by the bill as a "certified enhanced telehealth service." Medicare payment for a certified enhanced telehealth service shall equal 80% of the lesser of: (1) the actual charge for the service, or (2) the amount determined using the payment methodology established under the test model. CMS shall pay for such services without regard to a Medicare beneficiary's location or area of residence.
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Timeline
Mar 30, 2017
Introduced in Senate
Mar 30, 2017
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
  • March 30, 2017
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 30, 2017
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Health

Health technology, devices, suppliesMedicare

A bill to require the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to test the effect of including telehealth services in Medicare health care delivery reform models.

USA115th CongressS-787| Senate 
| Updated: 3/30/2017
Telehealth Innovation and Improvement Act of 2017 This bill amends titles XI (General Provisions) and XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to establish: (1) a telehealth service model, and (2) Medicare payment rules with respect to certain services tested under the model. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) shall test Medicare coverage of expanded telehealth services, as defined by the bill, in conjunction with existing models that test the use of accountable care organizations, bundled payments, and other coordinated care models under Medicare. CMS must: (1) establish a methodology for determining the amounts of payment for such services, and (2) provide for evaluations of the service model by an independent entity. CMS shall expand the application of a service tested under the model if: (1) the required evaluation demonstrates that the service either reduced Medicare spending without reducing the quality of care or improved the quality of care without increasing spending, and (2) the Chief Actuary of CMS certifies that such expansion would reduce net program spending. A service that meets these requirements is defined by the bill as a "certified enhanced telehealth service." Medicare payment for a certified enhanced telehealth service shall equal 80% of the lesser of: (1) the actual charge for the service, or (2) the amount determined using the payment methodology established under the test model. CMS shall pay for such services without regard to a Medicare beneficiary's location or area of residence.
View Full Text

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Timeline
Mar 30, 2017
Introduced in Senate
Mar 30, 2017
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
  • March 30, 2017
    Introduced in Senate


  • March 30, 2017
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Cory Gardner

Cory Gardner

Republican Senator

Colorado

Cosponsors (2)
Jon Tester (Democratic)Gary C. Peters (Democratic)

Finance Committee

Health

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Health technology, devices, suppliesMedicare