Bill 118 hr 4189, also known as the CONNECT for Health Act of 2023, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress. The main goal of this bill is to expand access to telehealth services for Medicare beneficiaries.
The bill proposes several key provisions, including:
1. Allowing Medicare beneficiaries to receive telehealth services from their homes, rather than having to travel to a healthcare facility.
2. Expanding the types of healthcare providers who can offer telehealth services to include physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists.
3. Removing restrictions on the use of telehealth for mental health services, allowing beneficiaries to receive counseling and therapy remotely.
4. Increasing funding for telehealth infrastructure, such as broadband internet access in rural and underserved areas.
5. Establishing a grant program to support healthcare providers in implementing telehealth services.
Overall, the CONNECT for Health Act of 2023 aims to improve access to healthcare for Medicare beneficiaries, particularly those in rural and underserved areas. By expanding telehealth services and removing barriers to access, this bill seeks to improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs for seniors and individuals with disabilities.