Safe Testing at Residence Telehealth Act of 2021
Latest action (13 Jan 2021): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 318, the Safe Testing at Residence Telehealth Act of 2021, would amend Medicare law (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) to require coverage and payment, during the COVID-19 public health emergency period, for certain COVID-19-related diagnostic and serology tests ordered remotely and for related "assistive telehealth consultations" delivered by phone or video. It sets payment amounts for physicians or practitioners who order these tests or provide such consultations, even if they are not physically with the patient or did not personally perform the test. Claims would have to include specified demographic data (age, race/ethnicity, gender, chronic condition status), and providers would report this data monthly to CMS and state health agencies. The bill also generally bars Medicare payment for an in-person version of the same test if it was already ordered via telehealth, unless a provider deems it medically necessary, and requires an HHS Inspector General report on waste, fraud, or abuse in related claims after the emergency period ends.
The bill primarily affects Medicare beneficiaries seeking COVID-19 testing and consultation from home, and the physicians, practitioners, and telehealth providers who order tests or deliver remote assessments, sample-collection assistance, or follow-up care related to those tests.
Introduced January 13, 2021, by Rep. David Schweikert with two cosponsors, the bill was referred to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means. It did not receive a vote and did not advance during the 117th Congress; no further action has occurred.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Safe Testing at Residence Telehealth Act of 2021
This bill provides for Medicare payment of certain at-home diagnostic tests and telehealth assessments that are provided in relation to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).
Specifically, during the public health emergency, the bill requires Medicare payment of diagnostic tests for respiratory conditions other than COVID-19 (e.g., influenza) that are used to finalize a COVID-19 diagnosis and of COVID-19 blood tests that are ordered via telehealth, as well as for related telehealth assessments, regardless of whether the practitioner who orders the test is the one who furnishes it and regardless of the location of the practitioner.
The bill requires practitioners to report specified demographic data with respect to such tests and services in order to receive payment, and prohibits payment for in-person tests that were already ordered via telehealth.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 318 do?
- H.R. 318, the Safe Testing at Residence Telehealth Act of 2021, would amend Medicare law (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) to require coverage and payment, during the COVID-19 public health emergency period, for certain COVID-19-related diagnostic and serology tests ordered remotely and for related "assistive telehealth consultations" delivered by phone or video. It sets payment amounts for physicians or practitioners who order these tests or provide such consultations, even if they are not physically with the patient or did not personally perform the test. Claims would have to include specified demographic data (age, race/ethnicity, gender, chronic condition status), and providers would report this data monthly to CMS and state health agencies. The bill also generally bars Medicare payment for an in-person version of the same test if it was already ordered via telehealth, unless a provider deems it medically necessary, and requires an HHS Inspector General report on waste, fraud, or abuse in related claims after the emergency period ends. The bill primarily affects Medicare beneficiaries seeking COVID-19 testing and consultation from home, and the physicians, practitioners, and telehealth providers who order tests or deliver remote assessments, sample-collection assistance, or follow-up care related to those tests. Introduced January 13, 2021, by Rep. David Schweikert with two cosponsors, the bill was referred to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means. It did not receive a vote and did not advance during the 117th Congress; no further action has occurred.
- Has H.R. 318 become law?
- Not yet. As of 13 Jan 2021, H.R. 318 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 318?
- H.R. 318 was sponsored by Rep. David Schweikert [R-AZ1] (Republican-AZ), with 4 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 318?
- Introduced (13 Jan 2021).
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