S1261-119

1. Short title; table of contents This Act may be cited as the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2025 or the CONNECT for Health Act of 2025. The table of contents of this Act is as follows:

2. Findings and sense of Congress Congress finds the following: The use of technology in health care and coverage of telehealth services are rapidly evolving. Research has found that telehealth services can expand access to care, improve the quality of care, and reduce spending. In 2023, 90 percent of patients receiving telehealth services were satisfied with their experiences. Health care workforce shortages are a significant problem in many areas and for many types of health care clinicians. Telehealth increases access to care in areas with workforce shortages and for individuals who live far away from health care facilities, have limited mobility or transportation, or have other barriers to accessing care. The use of health technologies can strengthen the expertise of the health care workforce, including by connecting clinicians to specialty consultations. Prior to the COVID–19 pandemic, the utilization of telehealth services in the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.) was low, accounting for 0.1 percent of Medicare Part B visits in 2019. Telehealth now represents a critical component of care delivery. In 2023, 24 percent of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries received a telehealth service. Long-term certainty about coverage of telehealth services under the Medicare program is necessary to fully realize the benefits of telehealth. It is the sense of Congress that— health care providers can furnish safe, effective, and high-quality health care services through telehealth; the Secretary of Health and Human Services should promptly take all necessary measures to ensure that providers and beneficiaries can continue to furnish and utilize, respectively, telehealth services in the Medicare program, and support recent modifications to the definition of interactive telecommunications system in regulations and program instruction under the Medicare program to ensure that providers can utilize all appropriate means and types of technology, including audio-visual, audio-only, and other types of technologies, to furnish telehealth services; and barriers to the use of telehealth should be removed.

101. Removing geographic requirements for telehealth services Section 1834(m)(4)(C) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(4)(C)) is amended— in clause (i), in the matter preceding subclause (I), by striking clause (iii) and inserting clauses (iii) and (iv); and by adding at the end the following new clause: The geographic requirements described in clause (i) shall not apply with respect to telehealth services furnished on or after October 1, 2025. (iv)Removal of geographic requirementsThe geographic requirements described in clause (i) shall not apply with respect to telehealth services furnished on or after October 1, 2025..

102. Expanding originating sites Section 1834(m)(4)(C)(iii) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(4)(C)(iii)) is amended by striking In the case that and all that follows through September 30, 2025, and inserting Beginning on the date of the enactment of the CONNECT for Health Act of 2025,. Section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)) is amended— in paragraph (2)(B)(iii), by striking In the case that and all that follows through September 30, 2025, and inserting With respect to telehealth services furnished on or after the date of the enactment of the CONNECT for Health Act of 2025,; and in paragraph (4)(C)(ii)(X), by striking , but only for purposes of section 1881(b)(3)(B) or telehealth services described in paragraph (7).

103. Expanding authority for practitioners eligible to furnish telehealth services Section 1834(m)(4)(E) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(4)(E)) is amended— by striking Practitioner.—The term and inserting “Practitioner.— Subject to clause (ii), the term by adding at the end the following new clause: Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, in the case of telehealth services furnished on or after October 1, 2025, the Secretary may waive any limitation on the types of practitioners who are eligible to furnish telehealth services if the Secretary determines that such waiver is clinically appropriate. In implementing a waiver under this clause, the Secretary may establish requirements, as appropriate, for practitioners under such waiver, including with respect to beneficiary and program integrity protections. The Secretary shall establish a process by which stakeholders may (on at least an annual basis) provide public comment on such waiver under this clause. The Secretary shall periodically, but not more frequently than every 3 years, reassess the waiver under this clause to determine whether such waiver continues to be clinically appropriate. The Secretary shall terminate any waiver that the Secretary determines is no longer clinically appropriate. (i)In generalSubject to clause (ii), the term; and (ii)Expanding practitioners eligible to furnish telehealth services(I)In generalNotwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, in the case of telehealth services furnished on or after October 1, 2025, the Secretary may waive any limitation on the types of practitioners who are eligible to furnish telehealth services if the Secretary determines that such waiver is clinically appropriate.(II)ImplementationIn implementing a waiver under this clause, the Secretary may establish requirements, as appropriate, for practitioners under such waiver, including with respect to beneficiary and program integrity protections.(III)Public commentThe Secretary shall establish a process by which stakeholders may (on at least an annual basis) provide public comment on such waiver under this clause.(IV)Periodic reviewThe Secretary shall periodically, but not more frequently than every 3 years, reassess the waiver under this clause to determine whether such waiver continues to be clinically appropriate. The Secretary shall terminate any waiver that the Secretary determines is no longer clinically appropriate..

104. Federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics Section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)) is amended— in paragraph (4)(C)(i), in the matter preceding subclause (I), by striking and (7) and inserting (7), and (8); and in paragraph (8)— in subparagraph (A)— in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking During and all that follows through September 30, 2025 and inserting the following: Beginning on the first day of the emergency period described in section 1135(g)(1)(B); in clause (ii), by striking and at the end; by redesignating clause (iii) as clause (iv); and by inserting after clause (ii) the following new clause: the geographic requirements described in paragraph (4)(C)(i) shall not apply with respect to such a telehealth service; and in subparagraph (B)— in the subparagraph heading, by inserting during initial period after rule; in the first sentence of clause (i) by striking during the periods for which subparagraph (A) applies and inserting during the period beginning on the first day of the emergency period and ending on September 30, 2025; and in clause (ii), by striking Costs associated and inserting During the period for which clause (i) applies, costs associated; by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: A telehealth service furnished by a Federally qualified health center or a rural health clinic to an individual pursuant to this paragraph on or after October 1, 2025, shall be deemed to be so furnished to such individual as an outpatient of such clinic or facility (as applicable) for purposes of paragraph (1) or (3), respectively, of section 1861(aa) and payable as a Federally qualified health center service or rural health clinic service (as applicable) under the prospective payment system established under section 1834(o) or under section 1833(a)(3), respectively. Costs associated with the furnishing of telehealth services by a Federally qualified health center or rural health clinic serving as a distant site pursuant to this paragraph on or after October 1, 2025, shall be considered allowable costs for purposes of the prospective payment system established under section 1834(o) and any payment methodologies developed under section 1833(a)(3), as applicable. (iii)the geographic requirements described in paragraph (4)(C)(i) shall not apply with respect to such a telehealth service; and; (C)Payment after initial period(i)In generalA telehealth service furnished by a Federally qualified health center or a rural health clinic to an individual pursuant to this paragraph on or after October 1, 2025, shall be deemed to be so furnished to such individual as an outpatient of such clinic or facility (as applicable) for purposes of paragraph (1) or (3), respectively, of section 1861(aa) and payable as a Federally qualified health center service or rural health clinic service (as applicable) under the prospective payment system established under section 1834(o) or under section 1833(a)(3), respectively.(ii)Treatment of costs for FQHC PPS calculations and RHC AIR calculationsCosts associated with the furnishing of telehealth services by a Federally qualified health center or rural health clinic serving as a distant site pursuant to this paragraph on or after October 1, 2025, shall be considered allowable costs for purposes of the prospective payment system established under section 1834(o) and any payment methodologies developed under section 1833(a)(3), as applicable..

105. Native American health facilities Section 1834(m)(4)(C) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(4)(C)), as amended by section 101, is amended— in clause (i), by striking and (iv) and inserting , (iv), and (v); and by adding at the end the following new clause: With respect to telehealth services furnished on or after January 1, 2026, the originating site requirements described in clauses (i) and (ii) shall not apply with respect to a facility of the Indian Health Service, whether operated by such Service, or by an Indian tribe (as that term is defined in section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1603)) or a tribal organization (as that term is defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)), or a facility of the Native Hawaiian health care systems authorized under the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act (42 U.S.C. 11701 et seq.). Section 1834(m)(2)(B)(i) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(2)(B)(i)) is amended, in the matter preceding subclause (I), by inserting (other than an originating site that is only described in clause (v) of paragraph (4)(C), and does not meet the requirement for an originating site under clauses (i) and (ii) of such paragraph) after the originating site. (v)Native American health facilitiesWith respect to telehealth services furnished on or after January 1, 2026, the originating site requirements described in clauses (i) and (ii) shall not apply with respect to a facility of the Indian Health Service, whether operated by such Service, or by an Indian tribe (as that term is defined in section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1603)) or a tribal organization (as that term is defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)), or a facility of the Native Hawaiian health care systems authorized under the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act (42 U.S.C. 11701 et seq.)..

106. Repeal of six-month in-person visit requirement for telemental health services Section 1834(m)(7) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(7)(B)) is amended— in subparagraph (A), by striking , subject to subparagraph (B),; by striking (A) In general.—The geographic and inserting The geographic; and by striking subparagraph (B). Section 1834(y)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(y)(2)) is amended by striking prior to October 1, 2025. Section 1834(o)(4)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(o)(4)(B)) is amended by striking prior to October 1, 2025.

107. Waiver of telehealth requirements during public health emergencies Section 1135(g)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320b–5(g)(1)) is amended— in subparagraph (A), in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting subparagraphs (B) and (C); and by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: For purposes of subsection (b)(8), in addition to the emergency period described in subparagraph (B), an emergency area is a geographical area in which, and an emergency period is the period during which, there exists a public health emergency declared by the Secretary pursuant to section 319 of the Public Health Service Act on or after the date of enactment of this subparagraph. (C)Exception for waiver of telehealth requirements during public health emergenciesFor purposes of subsection (b)(8), in addition to the emergency period described in subparagraph (B), an emergency area is a geographical area in which, and an emergency period is the period during which, there exists a public health emergency declared by the Secretary pursuant to section 319 of the Public Health Service Act on or after the date of enactment of this subparagraph..

108. Use of telehealth in recertification for hospice care Section 1814(a)(7)(D)(i)(II) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395f(a)(7)(D)(i)(II)) is amended by striking during the emergency period and all that follows through September 30, 2025 and inserting the following: during and after the emergency period described in section 1135(g)(1)(B). Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report evaluating the impact of section 1814(a)(7)(D)(i)(II) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395f(a)(7)(D)(i)(II)), as amended by subsection (a), on— the number and percentage of beneficiaries recertified for the Medicare hospice benefit at 180 days and for subsequent benefit periods, to the extent such data is available; Federal oversight of the appropriateness for hospice care of the patients recertified through the use of telehealth; and any other factors determined appropriate by the Comptroller General.

201. Clarification for fraud and abuse laws regarding technologies provided to beneficiaries Section 1128A(i)(6) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a–7a(i)(6)) is amended— in subparagraph (I), by striking ; or and inserting a semicolon; in subparagraph (J), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or; and by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: the provision of technologies (as defined by the Secretary) on or after the date of the enactment of this subparagraph, by a provider of services or supplier (as such terms are defined for purposes of title XVIII) directly to an individual who is entitled to benefits under part A of title XVIII, enrolled under part B of such title, or both, for the purpose of furnishing telehealth services, remote patient monitoring services, or other services furnished through the use of technology (as defined by the Secretary), if— the technologies are not offered as part of any advertisement or solicitation; and the provision of the technologies meets any other requirements set forth in regulations promulgated by the Secretary. (K)the provision of technologies (as defined by the Secretary) on or after the date of the enactment of this subparagraph, by a provider of services or supplier (as such terms are defined for purposes of title XVIII) directly to an individual who is entitled to benefits under part A of title XVIII, enrolled under part B of such title, or both, for the purpose of furnishing telehealth services, remote patient monitoring services, or other services furnished through the use of technology (as defined by the Secretary), if—(i)the technologies are not offered as part of any advertisement or solicitation; and(ii)the provision of the technologies meets any other requirements set forth in regulations promulgated by the Secretary..

203. Addressing significant outlier billing patterns for telehealth services The Secretary shall, using standard unique health identifiers (described in section 1173(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320d–2) reported on claims for telehealth services furnished to individuals under section 1834(m) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)), identify physicians and practitioners that demonstrate significant outlier billing patterns (such as coding of telehealth services for inappropriate length of time and inaccurate complexity and inappropriate or duplicate billing) for telehealth services or items or services ordered or prescribed concurrent to a telehealth service over a period of time specified by the Secretary. For purposes of this subsection, the Secretary shall establish thresholds for outlier billing patterns to identify whether a physician or practitioner is a significant outlier biller for telehealth services or items or services ordered or prescribed concurrent to a telehealth service as compared to other physicians or practitioners within the same specialty and geographic area. The Secretary shall notify physicians and practitioners identified as a significant outlier biller for telehealth services or items or services ordered or prescribed concurrent to a telehealth service under subsection (a). Each notification under the preceding sentence shall include the following: Information on how the physician or practitioner compares to physicians or practitioners within the same specialty and geographic area with respect to billing for telehealth services or items or services ordered or prescribed concurrent to a telehealth service under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.). Information on telehealth billing guidelines under the Medicare program. Other information determined appropriate by the Secretary. Nothing in this subsection or subsection (a) shall be construed as directing the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to pursue further audits of providers of services and suppliers outside of those permitted or required under titles XI or XVIII of the Social Security Act, or otherwise under applicable Federal law. The Secretary shall make aggregate information on outlier billing patterns identified under subsection (a) available on the internet website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Such information shall be in a form and manner determined appropriate by the Secretary and shall not identify any specific physician or practitioner. Nothing in this section shall preclude the Secretary from conducting activities that provide physicians and practitioners with information as to how they compare to other physicians and practitioners that are in addition to the activities under this section. Section 330I(j)(2) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254c–14(j)(2)) is amended— in subparagraph (F), by striking and at the end; in subparagraph (G), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: providing technical assistance and education to physicians and practitioners that the Secretary identifies pursuant to section 203(a) of the CONNECT for Health Act of 2025 as having significant levels of outlier billing patterns with respect to telehealth services or items or services ordered or prescribed concurrent to a telehealth service under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act, including— education on practices to ensure coding of telehealth services for appropriate length of time and accurate complexity; education on prevention of inappropriate or duplicate billing; information provided in the annual physician fee schedule rulemaking regarding— services specified in paragraph (4)(F)(i) of section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)) for authorized payment under paragraph (1) of such section; and the process used to update such services under paragraph (4)(F)(ii) of such section 1834(m); and referral to the appropriate medicare administrative contractor for specific questions that fall outside of the scope of broad best practices. In this section: The term Secretary means the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The term telehealth service has the meaning given that term in section 1834(m)(4)(F) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(4)(F)). The terms physician and practitioner have the meaning given those terms for purposes of section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)). (H)providing technical assistance and education to physicians and practitioners that the Secretary identifies pursuant to section 203(a) of the CONNECT for Health Act of 2025 as having significant levels of outlier billing patterns with respect to telehealth services or items or services ordered or prescribed concurrent to a telehealth service under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act, including—(i)education on practices to ensure coding of telehealth services for appropriate length of time and accurate complexity;(ii)education on prevention of inappropriate or duplicate billing;(iii)information provided in the annual physician fee schedule rulemaking regarding—(I)services specified in paragraph (4)(F)(i) of section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)) for authorized payment under paragraph (1) of such section; and(II)the process used to update such services under paragraph (4)(F)(ii) of such section 1834(m); and(iv)referral to the appropriate medicare administrative contractor for specific questions that fall outside of the scope of broad best practices..

301. Beneficiary engagement on telehealth Section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this paragraph, the Secretary, in consultation with stakeholders, shall issue resources, guidance, and training sessions for beneficiaries, physicians, practitioners, and health information technology software vendors on best practices for ensuring telehealth services are accessible for— individuals with limited English proficiency, including instructions on how to— access telehealth platforms; utilize interpreter services; and integrate telehealth and virtual interpreter services; and individuals with disabilities, including instructions on accessibility of the telecommunications system being used for telehealth services, engagement with beneficiaries with disabilities prior to, during, and after the furnishing of the telehealth service, and training on captioning and transcripts. Resources, guidance, and training sessions issued under this paragraph shall account for age and sociodemographic, geographic, literacy, cultural, cognitive, and linguistic differences in how individuals interact with technology. The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall, to the maximum extent feasible, collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data on strategies that clinicians, payers, and other health care organizations use to improve beneficiary engagement on telehealth services (as defined in section 1834(m)(4)(F) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(4)(F))), with an emphasis on underserved communities, such as the use of digital navigators, providing patients with pre-visit information on telehealth, caregiver engagement, and training on telecommunications systems, and the investments necessary for health care professionals to effectively furnish telehealth services, including the costs of necessary technology and of training staff. Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress and make available on the internet website of the Secretary of Health and Human Services a report containing the results of the study under paragraph (1), together with recommendations for such legislation and administrative action as the Secretary determines appropriate. There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as necessary to carry out the provisions of, including the amendments made by, this section. (10)Resources, guidance, and training sessions(A)In generalNot later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this paragraph, the Secretary, in consultation with stakeholders, shall issue resources, guidance, and training sessions for beneficiaries, physicians, practitioners, and health information technology software vendors on best practices for ensuring telehealth services are accessible for—(i)individuals with limited English proficiency, including instructions on how to—(I)access telehealth platforms;(II)utilize interpreter services; and(III)integrate telehealth and virtual interpreter services; and(ii)individuals with disabilities, including instructions on accessibility of the telecommunications system being used for telehealth services, engagement with beneficiaries with disabilities prior to, during, and after the furnishing of the telehealth service, and training on captioning and transcripts.(B)Accounting for age and other differencesResources, guidance, and training sessions issued under this paragraph shall account for age and sociodemographic, geographic, literacy, cultural, cognitive, and linguistic differences in how individuals interact with technology..

302. Provider supports on telehealth Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall develop and make available to health care professionals educational resources and training sessions on requirements relating to the furnishing of telehealth services under section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)) and topics including— requirements for payment for telehealth services; telehealth-specific health care privacy and security training; utilizing telehealth services to engage and support underserved, high-risk, and vulnerable patient populations; and other topics as determined appropriate by the Secretary. There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as necessary to carry out this section.

303. Ensuring the inclusion of telehealth in measuring quality of care Section 1890A of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395aaa–1) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall review quality measures to ensure inclusion of measures relating to telehealth services, including care, prevention, diagnosis, patient experience, health outcomes, and treatment. In conducting the review and assessment under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consult external technical experts in quality measurement, including patient organizations, providers, and experts in telehealth. The review and assessment under this subsection shall— include review of existing and under development quality measures to identify measures that are currently inclusive of, and measures that fail to account for, telehealth services; identify gaps in areas of quality measurement that relate to telehealth services, including health outcomes and patient experience of care; and assess how to effectively streamline, implement, and assign accountability for health outcomes for quality measures for telehealth services across health care settings and providers. The Secretary shall issue technical guidance on the following for health care providers and other stakeholders, as determined appropriate by the Secretary: How to stratify measures by care modality and population to identify differences in health outcomes. The use of uniform data elements. How to identify and catalogue best practices related to the use of quality measurement and quality improvement for telehealth services. Other areas determined appropriate by the Secretary. Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall submit to Congress and post on the internet website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services a report on the review and assessment conducted under this subsection. (h)Measuring quality of telehealth services(1)In generalNot later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall review quality measures to ensure inclusion of measures relating to telehealth services, including care, prevention, diagnosis, patient experience, health outcomes, and treatment.(2)ConsultationIn conducting the review and assessment under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consult external technical experts in quality measurement, including patient organizations, providers, and experts in telehealth.(3)Review and assessmentThe review and assessment under this subsection shall—(A)include review of existing and under development quality measures to identify measures that are currently inclusive of, and measures that fail to account for, telehealth services; (B)identify gaps in areas of quality measurement that relate to telehealth services, including health outcomes and patient experience of care; and(C)assess how to effectively streamline, implement, and assign accountability for health outcomes for quality measures for telehealth services across health care settings and providers.(4)Technical guidanceThe Secretary shall issue technical guidance on the following for health care providers and other stakeholders, as determined appropriate by the Secretary:(A)How to stratify measures by care modality and population to identify differences in health outcomes.(B)The use of uniform data elements.(C)How to identify and catalogue best practices related to the use of quality measurement and quality improvement for telehealth services.(D)Other areas determined appropriate by the Secretary.(5)ReportNot later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall submit to Congress and post on the internet website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services a report on the review and assessment conducted under this subsection..

304. Posting of information on telehealth services Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and quarterly thereafter, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall post on the internet website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services information on— the furnishing of telehealth services under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.), described by patient population, type of service, geography, place of service, and provider type; the impact of telehealth services on expenditures and utilization under the Medicare program for the most recent 4 quarters for which Medicare claims data is available; and other outcomes related to the furnishing of telehealth services under the Medicare program, as determined appropriate by the Secretary.