I
115th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3164
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 6, 2017
Mrs. Black (for herself, Ms. DelBene, Mr. Thompson of California, and Mr. Meehan) 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 access to home dialysis therapy.
Expanding access to home dialysis therapy
Allowing use of telehealth for monthly end stage renal disease-Related visits
In general
Paragraph (3) of section 1881(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395rr(b)) is amended—
by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively;
in clause (ii), as redesignated by subparagraph (A)—
by inserting subject to subparagraph (B),
before on a comprehensive
; and
by striking under this subparagraph
and inserting under this clause
;
by striking With respect to
and inserting (A) With respect to
; and
by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
Subject to clause (ii), an individual who is determined to have end stage renal disease and who is receiving home dialysis may choose to receive monthly end stage renal disease-related visits, furnished on or after January 1, 2019, via telehealth.
Clause (i) shall apply to an individual only if the individual receives a face-to-face visit, without the use of telehealth—
in the case of the initial three months of home dialysis of such individual, at least monthly; and
after such initial three months, at least once every three consecutive months.
.
Conforming amendment
Paragraph (1) of such section is amended by striking paragraph (3)(A)
and inserting paragraph (3)(A)(i)
.
Expanding originating sites for telehealth To include renal dialysis facilities and the home for purposes of monthly end stage renal disease-Related visits
In general
Section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)) is amended—
in paragraph (4)(C)(ii), by adding at the end the following new subclauses:
A renal dialysis facility, but only for purposes of section 1881(b)(3)(B).
The home of an individual, but only for purposes of section 1881(b)(3)(B).
; and
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
Treatment of home dialysis monthly ESRD-related visit
The geographic requirements described in paragraph (4)(C)(i) shall not apply with respect to telehealth services furnished on or after January 1, 2019, for purposes of section 1881(b)(3)(B), at an originating site described in subclause (VI), (IX), or (X) of paragraph (4)(C)(ii)).
.
No facility fee if originating site for home dialysis therapy is the home
Section 1834(m)(2)(B) of the Social Security (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(2)(B)) is amended—
by redesignating clauses (i) and (ii) as subclauses (I) and (II), respectively, and by indenting each of such subclauses 2 ems to the right;
in subclause (II), as redesignated by subparagraph (A), by striking clause (i) or this clause
and inserting subclause (I) or this subclause
;
by striking site.—With respect to
and inserting “site.—
In general
Subject to clause (ii), with respect to
; and
by adding at the end the following new clause:
No facility fee if originating site for home dialysis therapy is the home
No facility fee shall be paid under this subparagraph to an originating site described in subclause (X) of paragraph (4)(C)(ii).
.
Clarification regarding telehealth provided to beneficiaries
Section 1128A(i)(6) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a–7a(i)(6)) is amended—
in subparagraph (H), by striking ; or
and inserting a semicolon;
in subparagraph (I), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or
; and
by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
the provision of telehealth on or after January 1, 2019, to individuals with end stage renal disease under title XVIII by a health care provider for the purpose of furnishing of telehealth.
.
Study and report on further expansion
Study
The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study to examine the benefits and drawbacks of expanding the coverage under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act of renal dialysis services as telehealth services, pursuant to the amendments made by this section, to include coverage of renal dialysis services furnished via telehealth and other store-and-forward technologies.
Report
Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report on the results of the study conducted under paragraph (1).