RPM Access Act

Bill Number

H.R. 3108

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Health

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-04-30: 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.

Last Updated

2026-05-13T08:06:50Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Rural Patient Monitoring Access Act (H.R. 3108), also known as the RPM Access Act, aims to enhance Medicare payments for remote patient monitoring (RPM)—a service that uses technology to track patients' health data outside traditional clinical settings. It focuses on improving access to RPM in rural and underserved areas by adjusting payment calculations and establishing quality standards, while promoting cost savings through better care coordination.

Key Provisions

• Findings Section: Highlights RPM's benefits, such as improved patient outcomes and lower Medicare costs; notes rural healthcare shortages; points out low RPM reimbursements in states with high rates of conditions like heart failure, hypertension, and diabetes; and states that RPM delivery costs (like practice and malpractice expenses) are similar across locations.
• Payment Adjustment for Geographic Indices (Section 3): Starting January 1, 2026, sets a minimum value of 1.00 for the practice expense and malpractice geographic indices used in Medicare RPM payments. This ensures payments are not reduced below a national average due to location, and the adjustment is not required to be budget-neutral (meaning it won't offset costs elsewhere in Medicare).
• Quality Standards for RPM Payments (Section 4(a)): From January 1, 2026, Medicare will only pay for RPM if:
• A qualified professional (physician, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or physician assistant) is available in real-time to address any detected health issues.
• The monitoring system can send data in a format compatible with electronic health records when needed.
• Providers or suppliers collect and report data on RPM's impact on Medicare costs, with exemptions for those facing unreasonable hardship.
• Congressional Report (Section 4(b)): Within 5 years of enactment, the Secretary of Health and Human Services must report to Congress on RPM's effects over a 4-year period starting in 2026, including:
• Estimated Medicare savings from reduced hospitalizations and earlier interventions.
• Savings from better medication adherence.
• Analysis of RPM-related practice expenses, such as cellular connectivity and technology maintenance.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amends Section 1848(e)(1) of the Social Security Act to introduce a floor of 1.00 for RPM-specific geographic indices, preventing lower payments in rural or low-cost areas compared to the national average—unlike current Medicare payment formulas that adjust based on local costs.
• Adds a new subsection (aa) to Section 1834 of the Social Security Act, imposing the first federal quality and data-reporting requirements for RPM reimbursements, which previously lacked such standardized conditions.
• Mandates a future report on RPM outcomes, introducing a mechanism for ongoing evaluation not present in prior law.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will face increased administrative burdens for implementing payment floors, enforcing quality standards, and producing the required report. This could lead to higher short-term Medicare spending due to non-budget-neutral adjustments, but potential long-term savings from reduced hospital stays and better chronic disease management.
• On Citizens: Medicare beneficiaries, especially in rural areas or states with high chronic illness rates, may gain better access to RPM, leading to improved health monitoring, fewer emergency visits, and enhanced medication adherence. However, it depends on providers adopting compliant systems.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill is focused on domestic Medicare policy.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Rural and Underserved Healthcare Providers/Suppliers: Benefit from higher, more equitable RPM payments but must meet new quality and reporting requirements.
• Medicare Beneficiaries: Particularly those with chronic conditions in rural or high-need areas, who could see improved care access and outcomes.
• Qualified Health Professionals: Physicians, nurse practitioners, and similar roles must ensure real-time availability for RPM alerts.
• Technology and RPM Vendors: Need to ensure systems are compatible with electronic health records and support data transmission/reporting.
• Congress and HHS/CMS: Responsible for oversight, reporting, and potential future adjustments based on the mandated analysis.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Establishes enforceable quality thresholds for RPM payments, potentially leading to disputes over "unreasonable hardship" exemptions or data reporting. The non-budget-neutral floor could face challenges if it significantly increases federal spending without offsets.
• Constitutional: No apparent issues, as it operates within Congress's authority to regulate interstate commerce and federal spending programs like Medicare.
• Political: Promotes telehealth equity in rural America, aligning with bipartisan support for addressing healthcare disparities (evidenced by cosponsors from both parties). It could influence future Medicare reforms by providing data on RPM's value, but the spending increase might draw scrutiny in budget debates.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Kustoff, David [R-TN-8]

Cosponsors (9)

Rep. Balderson, Troy [R-OH-12], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Miller, Carol D. [R-WV-1], Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1], Rep. Smith, Adrian [R-NE-3], Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17], Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]

Recent Actions

• 2025-04-30: 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.
• 2025-04-30: 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.
• 2025-04-30: Introduced in House
• 2025-04-30: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Rural Patient Monitoring Access Act — issued 2025-04-30 — PDF (6 pages)