KIDNEY Remote Monitoring Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8319
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-16: 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
- 2026-05-22T08:08:17Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The KIDNEY Remote Monitoring Act (H.R. 8319) aims to expand Medicare coverage for remote monitoring services provided by physicians to patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD)—a severe kidney condition requiring dialysis—who receive home dialysis. It seeks to improve access to remote physiologic monitoring (RPM), which tracks vital signs like blood pressure and weight via digital devices outside clinical settings.
Key Provisions
- Amends Section 1881(b)(3) of the Social Security Act, which governs Medicare payments for ESRD dialysis services.
- Adds a new subparagraph (C) specifying that, starting January 1, 2028, Medicare payments for RPM services furnished by physicians to home dialysis ESRD patients will follow the physician fee schedule under Section 1848 (a standard payment method based on service codes and rates).
- Updates cross-references in existing subparagraph (A)(ii) to include the new provision.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Previously, RPM payments for ESRD patients were limited under bundled dialysis payment rules (subparagraph B).
- Introduces separate payment for physician-provided RPM under the physician fee schedule specifically for home dialysis ESRD patients, decoupling it from the bundled ESRD payment system starting in 2028.
- Does not affect in-center dialysis or non-physician RPM services.
Potential Impacts
- Citizens (ESRD patients): Enhances year-round remote monitoring for home dialysis users, potentially improving health outcomes, reducing hospital visits, and supporting at-home care independence.
- Government agencies (CMS/Medicare): Increases flexibility in reimbursing RPM, which may raise short-term costs but encourage home dialysis (often cheaper than in-center care long-term).
- No direct impact on international relations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- ESRD patients on home dialysis: Gain expanded Medicare-covered monitoring services.
- Physicians: Eligible for fee schedule payments for RPM services.
- Medicare (CMS): Must implement new payment rules.
- Dialysis providers and home health agencies: Indirectly benefit from promoting home-based care.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Straightforward amendment to Medicare payment statutes; no new regulatory burdens but requires CMS rulemaking for implementation.
- Constitutional: None apparent; aligns with Congress's authority over federal spending programs like Medicare.
- Political: Bipartisan support (introduced by Reps. Yakym, Schneider, Miller-Meeks, Dingell); promotes telehealth expansion post-COVID, potentially influencing future ESRD and remote care policies. Referred to Energy & Commerce and Ways & Means Committees.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (4)
Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10], Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-16: 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.
- 2026-04-16: 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.
- 2026-04-16: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-16: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Keeping Individuals with Dialysis Needs Equipped through Year-round Remote Monitoring Act — issued 2026-04-16 — PDF (2 pages)