Expanding Remote Monitoring Access Act

The "Expanding Remote Monitoring Access Act" addresses current limitations in Medicare's coverage of remote monitoring services. It highlights that the existing requirement for 16 days of data collection within a 30-day period often exceeds medical necessity, hindering the adoption of beneficial remote care. This bill seeks to expand access to these services, which can improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs, as demonstrated by programs like those in the Department of Veterans Affairs. To achieve this, the legislation mandates that for a two-year period following its enactment, Medicare will cover remote monitoring services based on a minimum of two days of data collection over a 30-day period. This change applies to all beneficiaries, moving beyond the temporary flexibility previously offered only to individuals with or suspected of having COVID-19. The bill recognizes that various clinical scenarios do not require 16 days of continuous monitoring to provide meaningful care. Furthermore, the Act requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit a comprehensive report to Congress within one year. This report must analyze previous experiences with the two-day minimum, recommend a new reimbursement model that considers patient acuity and cost, and evaluate appropriate supervision requirements for non-clinical staff. It will also assess the estimated savings from earlier interventions and reduced hospitalizations due to remote monitoring, drawing on consultations with a wide range of healthcare stakeholders.