VGM & ASSOCIATESHealthcare MSO
Full Menu Search

CONNECT for Health Act Gains Bipartisan Momentum to Expand Telehealth Access

Published in Government Relations on August 25, 2025

CMS’ proposed rule (and subsequently the return of the competitive bidding program) have rightfully taken over center stage as far as priorities for the HME industry. However, we are still tracking several other pieces of legislation that would impact providers. First of those is the CONNECT for Health Act.

On April 2, 2025, a bipartisan group of 60 senators reintroduced the CONNECT for Health Act, legislation that would expand patient access to telehealth services through Medicare while removing barriers to adoption. The bill would also make permanent the COVID-19 telehealth flexibilities currently set to expire Sept. 30. The lead sponsors of the bill are Sens. Brian Schatz (D-HI), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Mark Warner (D-VA), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Peter Welch (D-VT), and John Barrasso (R-WY).  

S.1261, formally titled CONNECT for Health Act of 2025, has gained four more cosponsors, bringing the total to 64 cosponsors to date.  

H.R. 4206, the Health Act’s bipartisan companion bill in the House, was introduced on June 26 by Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) and was originally cosponsored by Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ), Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA), and Rep. Troy Baldserson (R-OH). It has since gained 14 additional co-sponsors, bringing its number to 18.

First introduced in 2016, the CONNECT for Health Act remains the most comprehensive telehealth legislation in Congress. Several provisions of the bill have since been enacted into law or adopted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These include provisions to remove restrictions on telehealth services for mental health, stroke care, and home dialysis. 

The 119th Congress version of the CONNECT for Health Act would build on this progress, including new and revised provisions designed to expand access to telehealth. Specifically, the legislation would:  

  • Permanently define originating sites as the location of the patient. 
  • Permanently allow health centers and rural health clinics to provide telehealth services. 
  • Expand eligibility for healthcare professionals to use telehealth services. 
  • Remove unnecessary in-person visit requirements for telemental health services. 
  • Allow for the waiver of telehealth restrictions during public health emergencies. 
  • Require more published data to understand how telehealth is being used, its impact on quality of care, and how it can be improved to support patients and healthcare providers. 

As these bills move through committees, VGM is committed to working with our Champions in Washington, D.C., to obtain additional cosponsors and get this important legislation passed into law.  

We will continue to report any new developments as they arise.  

Get Connected

Stay up-to-date on the latest resources and news provided by VGM & Associates.

Sign Up for Email

From Our Experts

New CMS Nationwide Probationary Prior Authorization Requirement for Newly Enrolled Suppliers of Certain DMEPOS Items thumbnail New CMS Nationwide Probationary Prior Authorization Requirement for Newly Enrolled Suppliers of Certain DMEPOS Items On Sept. 2, 2026, CMS introduced the Probationary Prior Authorization (PPA) program that will place newly enrolled DMEPOS Suppliers and those undergoing 100% change in ownership on a one-year probationary period. Effective Oct. 15, impacted suppliers will be required to submit a prior authorization request for specific HCPCS codes. OIG Report Signals Increased Fraud Oversight for DMEPOS Suppliers thumbnail OIG Report Signals Increased Fraud Oversight for DMEPOS Suppliers The HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) recently released a white paper examining ongoing Medicare fraud involving durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS). Preparing for Increased Audit Activity: How VGM Group and The van Halem Group Can Help thumbnail Preparing for Increased Audit Activity: How VGM Group and The van Halem Group Can Help The recent HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) report on DMEPOS fraud signals that CMS is likely to increase oversight activities across the industry. The report calls for enhanced supplier enrollment screening, more aggressive medical reviews, expanded use of artificial intelligence and data analytics, greater physician order verification, and increased scrutiny of supplier ownership and billing practices. CMS Releases Critical Updates On The Medicare Supplier Enrollment Moratorium And Round 2028 Competitive Bidding Program thumbnail CMS Releases Critical Updates On The Medicare Supplier Enrollment Moratorium And Round 2028 Competitive Bidding Program See CMS' notice on the Medicare Supplier Enrollment Moratorium below: Medicare's DMEPOS Supplier Enrollment Moratorium Has Expired | Action Required for Round 2028 Bidders This message is to inform you that the 6-month temporary moratorium on accepting Medicare supplier enrollment applications, which became effective on February 27, 2026, has now expired as of August 27, 2026. CMS Updates CBIC Website Bid Preparation Guidance for Round 2028 Competitive Bidding Program thumbnail CMS Updates CBIC Website Bid Preparation Guidance for Round 2028 Competitive Bidding Program On August 13, 2026, CMS posted several updated and new Fact Sheets and one new FAQ to the Bid Preparation Phase page on the CBIC website. Providers interested in submitting a bid for Round 2028 can find more program details, including the estimated number of contract awards, for each category. Important: HME Supplier Survey on Round 2028 Competitive Bidding Impact thumbnail Important: HME Supplier Survey on Round 2028 Competitive Bidding Impact AAHomecare is conducting a brief survey to help quantify the potential impact that Medicare's Remote Item Delivery (RID) model of Competitive Bidding would have on HME suppliers providing continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), insulin pumps, ostomy supplies, and/or urological supplies. Survey findings will be used to inform discussions with the White House, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and Congress about the potential effects on supplier businesses, jobs, and patient... CMS Makes Finalized Change to DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program thumbnail CMS Makes Finalized Change to DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued the FY 2027 Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRF) Prospective Payment System (PPS) Final Rule (CMS-1845-F), increasing the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program's bid surety bond amount to $100,000 (previously $50,000).... VGM Government Relations Launches State Payer Resource Hub for DMEPOS Providers thumbnail VGM Government Relations Launches State Payer Resource Hub for DMEPOS Providers This resource brings together key information frequently used by DMEPOS providers.

Give your business an advantage over the competition.

Become a Member