HR-4932 : Still Just a Bill

Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies for Health Act of 2019 or the CONNECT for Health Act of 2019

This bill expands coverage of telehealth services under Medicare.

Among other things, the bill

  • allows the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to waive certain restrictions, such as geographic restrictions, for services provided in high-need health professional shortage areas;
  • excludes mental health and emergency medical services, as well as services provided at rural health clinics, federally qualified health centers, and Indian Health Service facilities, from such geographic restrictions; and
  • allows the CMS to generally waive coverage restrictions during national emergencies.

Additionally, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission must report on information relating to the access of Medicare beneficiaries to telehealth services at home. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation may also test alternative payment models relating to expanded telehealth services.

Action Timeline

Action DateTypeTextSource
2019-11-01CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Health.House committee actions
2019-10-30IntroReferralReferred 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.House floor actions
2019-10-30IntroReferralReferred 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.House floor actions
2019-10-30IntroReferralIntroduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Sponsor :

Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-5]
See Cosponsors

Policy Area :

Health
See Subjects
  • Advisory bodies
  • Congressional oversight
  • Emergency medical services and trauma care
  • Government information and archives
  • Government studies and investigations
  • Health care costs and insurance
  • Health care coverage and access
  • Health care quality
  • Health facilities and institutions
  • Health personnel
  • Health programs administration and funding
  • Health technology, devices, supplies
  • Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
  • Medicare
  • Mental health
  • Minority health
  • Rural conditions and development
  • Telephone and wireless communication

Related Bills

See Related Bills