Advanced Safe Testing at Residence Telehealth Act of 2021

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage and payment for certain tests and assistive telehealth consultations, and for other purposes. 1. Short title; table of contents (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the Advanced Safe Testing at Residence Telehealth Act of 2021 (b) Table of contents The table of contents is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title. Sec. 2. Coverage and payment for certain tests and assistive telehealth consultations; demonstration program under certain State Medicaid programs. Sec. 1859A. Tests and assistive telehealth consultations demonstration. Sec. 3. Pilot program on improved access to certain tests and assistive telehealth consultations for veterans. 2. Coverage and payment for certain tests and assistive telehealth consultations; demonstration program under certain State Medicaid programs (a) Tests and assistive telehealth consultations demonstration Part C of title XVIII of the Social Security Act is amended by inserting after section 1859 ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–28 1859A. Tests and assistive telehealth consultations demonstration (a) Establishment (1) In general The Secretary shall establish a Value-Based Insurance Design Model demonstration program (in this section referred to as the VBID demonstration program (A) an assistive telehealth consultation that is furnished via a telecommunications system by a physician or practitioner to an eligible telehealth individual enrolled under part B notwithstanding that the individual physician or practitioner ordering the test did not furnish the test or that the individual physician or practitioner providing the assistive telehealth consultation is not at the same location as the beneficiary; and (B) home and community-based care. (2) Agreements The Secretary shall enter into agreements with eligible MA organizations under which such organizations shall offer eligible MA plans under the VBID demonstration program to eligible Medicare beneficiaries. (3) Limitations on number of plans for VBID demonstration program The VBID demonstration program shall be carried out with respect to not greater than 25 MA plans, with a minimum of 10 MA plans that serve rural or underserved areas. (4) Eligible MA plans defined For purposes of this section, the term eligible MA plan (A) tests that are medical devices (as defined in section 201(h) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or wearable patient monitoring device, including adaptive artificial intelligence, machine learning, and software as a medical device (SaMD) technologies that operate to the full scope of medical purpose defined by the Administrator of the Food and Drug Administration) and are identified by the Secretary as having appropriate at home use that is approved under section 505 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and are either— (i) a diagnostic test or screening for the diagnosis of influenza or a similar respiratory condition that is required to obtain a final diagnosis of COVID–19 for an individual when such test is ordered by a physician or practitioner in conjunction with a COVID–19 diagnostic test or screening for purposes of discounting a diagnosis of influenza or a related diagnosis for such individual; (ii) a serology test for COVID–19; (iii) a diagnostic test or screening for the diagnosis of prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, vascular inflammation, cardiovascular health, strep throat, or lipoprotein (A); (iv) a haptoglobin genetic test; (v) a prediabetes and diabetes screening; (vi) an IgE allergy test; (vii) a screening or diagnostic capsule endoscopy; or (viii) any other test identified by the Secretary, including those proposed by the MA organization, as having appropriate for at-home use that is approved under section 505 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; (B) assistive telehealth consultations; (C) telehealth services; (D) fitness benefits; (E) meal benefits (beyond limited basis); (F) transportation services; (G) safety and other equipment not otherwise covered under this title; and (H) care in rural or highly rural areas (as determined in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture using the Rural-Urban Commuting Areas coding system). (5) Other matters relating to documentation and claims review The requirements of paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 410.32(d) of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of the enactment of this paragraph), relating to documentation and claims review, respectively, shall apply to a test described in paragraph (4)(A) and an assistive telehealth consultation. (6) Demographic data To be eligible for reimbursement under this paragraph, each claim for reimbursement shall include, with respect to each eligible Medicare beneficiary, the following demographic data: (A) Age. (B) Race and ethnicity. (C) Gender. (D) An affirmative or negative statement of the existence of any chronic condition. (E) Any other information the Secretary determines appropriate. (7) Assistive telehealth consultation In this subsection, the term assistive telehealth consultation (A) an evaluation and management service; (B) an assessment of any evidence of systems which would make a diagnostic test or screening necessary to be furnished in the home of an eligible telehealth individual; (C) the ordering of a diagnostic test or screening; (D) an assessment of an individual succeeding the delivery of a diagnostic test or screening; (E) any assistance in the collection (or transmission) of images or data necessary for a diagnostic test or screening and securing the sample for shipping; (F) the referral of an eligible telehealth individual to a physician or practitioner for in-person treatment; or (G) the review of a diagnostic test or screening by a physician or practitioner. (b) Eligible MA organizations For purposes of this section, the term eligible MA organization (1) is located in a State that the Secretary has determined is able to participate in the VBID demonstration program by agreeing to make available data necessary for purposes of conducting the independent evaluation required under subsection (h); and (2) meets such other criteria as the Secretary may require. (c) Eligible Medicare beneficiary defined In this section, the term eligible Medicare beneficiary (1) is eligible for benefits under this title and— (A) is eligible to enroll in an eligible MA plan under the VBID demonstration program; (B) is a subsidy-eligible individual (as defined in section 1860D–14(a)(3)(A)); and (C) is age 65 or older; or (2) is a dual eligible individual (as defined in section 1915(h)(2)(B)) or qualified medicare beneficiary (as defined in section 1905(p)(1)) who is eligible for medical assistance under a State plan under title XIX. (d) Payments The Secretary shall establish payment rates for eligible MA organizations offering eligible MA plans under the VBID demonstration program for benefits covered under such program (and not otherwise covered under part C) and provided to eligible Medicare beneficiaries under such plans. Such payment rates shall— (1) be based upon payment rates established for purposes of payment under section 1853; (2) be in addition to payments otherwise made to such organization with respect to such plans under part C; (3) be adjusted to reflect the costs of treating eligible Medicare beneficiaries under this section; and (4) not be made for a test via a telecommunications system described in subsection (a)(4), unless the physician or practitioner determines such a test is medically necessary and appropriate (as determined by the Secretary). (e) Special election period Notwithstanding sections 1852(e)(2)(C) and 1860D–1(b)(1)(B)(iii), an eligible Medicare beneficiary may, other than during the annual, coordinated election periods under such sections discontinue enrollment in an MA plan not participating in the VBID demonstration program and enroll in an MA plan participating in such program. (f) Beneficiary education The Secretary shall help to educate, through State Health Insurance Assistance Programs and other organizations that assist seniors with respect to benefits and enrollment under this title, eligible Medicare beneficiaries on the availability of the VBID demonstration program. (g) Implementation (1) Deadline The VBID demonstration program shall be implemented not later than January 1 of the second year beginning after the date of the enactment of this section. (2) Duration Subject to paragraph (3), the VBID demonstration program shall be conducted for a period of five years. (3) Extension or expansion Taking into account the report under subsection (h)(2), the Secretary may, through notice and comment rulemaking, expand the duration, scope, or both the duration and scope of the VBID demonstration program (including implementation on a nationwide or permanent basis or both), other than under the original Medicare fee-for-service program under parts A and B of such title, to the extent determined appropriate by the Secretary, unless the Secretary determines that such expansion is expected to— (A) increase aggregate expenditures under this title and title XIX with respect to eligible Medicare beneficiaries participating in the VBID demonstration program; or (B) decrease the quality of health care services furnished to eligible Medicare beneficiaries participating in the VBID demonstration program. (h) Independent evaluation and reports (1) Independent evaluation (A) In general The Secretary shall provide for the evaluation of the VBID demonstration program by an independent third party. (B) Evaluation objectives Such evaluation shall determine the extent to which the VBID demonstration program has resulted in— (i) improved patient care; (ii) reduced hospitalizations or rehospitalizations; (iii) reduced or delayed nursing facility admissions and lengths of stay under title XIX; (iv) reduced spend down of income and assets for purposes of becoming eligible for medical assistance under a State plan under title XIX; (v) improved quality of life for the eligible Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in an eligible MA plan participating in the VBID demonstration program; (vi) improved caregiver satisfaction; and (vii) addressing disparities and access for underserved populations. (C) Evaluation process Such evaluation shall be completed in accordance with the following process: (i) The Secretary shall, prior to the implementation of such program, establish goals for such program with respect to the evaluation objectives described in subparagraph (B) and criteria for measuring the extent to which an eligible MA plan participating in the VBID demonstration program meets such goals. (ii) The Secretary shall implement clear data collection and reporting requirements for such eligible MA plans in order to carry out such evaluation. In carrying out such process, the Secretary shall recognize that definitions, benefits, and program requirements for long-term care services and supports vary across States. (2) Reports Not later than four years after the implementation of the VBID demonstration program, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report containing the results of the evaluation conducted under paragraph (1), together with such recommendations for legislative or administrative action as the Secretary determines appropriate. In preparing such report, the Secretary shall use at least three years worth of data under the VBID demonstration program. (i) Budget neutrality For any year after the third year of the VBID demonstration program, the Secretary shall ensure that the aggregate payments made under this title and title XIX, including under the VBID demonstration program, do not exceed the amount which the Secretary estimates would have been expended under such titles during such year if the VBID demonstration program had not been implemented. (j) Paperwork reduction act Chapter 35 . (b) Demonstration program under certain State Medicaid programs (1) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, subject to paragraph (3), the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Deputy Administrator and Director of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, shall administer a program that awards grants to at least 5, but not more than 10 States or territories for purposes of the State Medicaid program to provide coverage to individuals entitled to benefits under the State plan under title XIX of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq. (2) Applications To be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, a State shall submit an application to the Secretary in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (3) Duration; amount (A) Duration A grant under this subsection shall be for a 4-year period. (B) Amount A State that is awarded a grant under this subsection shall be for an amount not to exceed $12,000,000. (4) Funding The Secretary, acting through the Deputy Administrator and Director, shall provide for not more than $100,000,000 to carry out the program described in paragraph (1) from amounts otherwise appropriated pursuant to section 1115A(f) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1315a(f) 3. Pilot program on improved access to certain tests and assistive telehealth consultations for veterans (a) Pilot program (1) Establishment Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans shall establish a pilot program on improved access to certain telehealth services for veterans (in this section referred to as the pilot program (2) Provision of covered services (A) Health care providers The Secretary shall select not fewer than five facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs through which to carry out the program, of which not fewer than three shall serve veterans in rural or highly rural areas (as determined through the use of the Rural-Urban Commuting Areas coding system of the Department of Agriculture). (B) Covered services Under the pilot program, and notwithstanding that the provider ordering or providing the service is not at the same location as the participant receiving the service, health care providers at each facility selected under subparagraph (A) shall furnish to program participants the following services: (i) Tests described in subparagraph (C) that are ordered by the health care provider via a telecommunications system. (ii) Assistive telehealth consultations that are provided by the health care provider via a telecommunications system. (C) Tests described A test described in this subparagraph is a test that— (i) is a medical device (as defined in section 201(h) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act) or wearable patient monitoring device, and (ii) is for a condition determined relevant by the Secretary for purposes of the pilot program. (3) Participation in program (A) Application To participate in the pilot program, veterans eligible to apply under subparagraph (B) shall submit an application for such participation in such form, at such time, and containing such information as the Secretary determines appropriate. (B) Eligibility A veteran is eligible to submit an application for participation in the pilot program if the veteran— (i) is enrolled in the system of patient enrollment of the Department under section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code; and (ii) has received health care under the laws administered by the Secretary during the two-year period preceding the date on which the veteran is first selected by the Secretary for participation in the pilot program. (4) No payment (A) Pilot program The Secretary may not charge a program participant for any cost of services furnished under the pilot program. (B) Effect on certain in person tests While a veteran is a program participant in the pilot program, the Secretary may not make payment for a test described in paragraph (2)(C) that is furnished in-person by a physician or practitioner to the veteran if a physician or practitioner has previously ordered such a test for the veteran under the pilot program via a telecommunications system, unless the physician or practitioner determines such a test is medically necessary and appropriate (as determined by the Secretary). (5) Termination (A) In general Subject to subparagraph (B), the pilot program shall terminate on the date that is three years after the date on which the pilot program commences. (B) Extension If the Secretary determines, based on the results of the interim report under subsection (b)(1), that it is appropriate to extend the pilot program, the Secretary may extend the termination of such program for a period of not more than two years. (b) Reports (1) Interim report Not later than one year after the date on which the pilot program commences, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees an interim report. Such report shall include the following information: (A) The number of veterans who have participated in the pilot program. (B) The types of at-home diagnostics furnished under the pilot program. (C) An assessment of whether participation in the pilot program resulted in any changes in clinically relevant endpoints for the participant with respect to the conditions identified during an assistive telehealth consultation or through a covered test under the pilot program. (D) An assessment of the quality of life of veterans who have participated in the pilot program, including the results of a satisfaction survey provided to each such veteran. (2) Final report Not later than 90 days after the date of termination of the pilot program under subsection (a)(4)(A) (or, if the pilot program is extended under subsection (a)(4)(B), the date on which such extension terminates), the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a final report on the pilot program that contains any relevant updates to the information specified in paragraph (1). (c) Definitions In this section: (1) The term appropriate congressional committees (A) the Committee on Energy and Commerce, the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives; and (B) the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate. (2) The term assistive telehealth consultation

Summary: Advanced Safe Testing at Residence Telehealth Act of 2021 This bill temporarily establishes several programs to provide telehealth services for at-home testing, evaluations, and other health care. Specifically, the bill establishes a demonstration program to provide assistive telehealth consultations and home- and community-based care for certain Medicare beneficiaries through Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. Covered services include certain at-home diagnostic tests, telehealth consultations, transportation services, and meal benefits. Beneficiaries must be (1) age 65 or older and eligible to enroll in a qualifying MA plan and to receive certain low-income subsidies under the Medicare prescription drug benefit, or (2) dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid benefits. The bill also establishes a grant program for state Medicaid programs to cover similar at-home tests and related telehealth consultations. Additionally, the Department of Veterans Affairs must establish a pilot program to provide tests and related telehealth consultations free of charge to veterans.