# What the Advanced Safe Testing at Residence Telehealth Act Actually Does

This bill creates new ways for older Americans and veterans to get medical tests done at home through video consultations with doctors, rather than having to visit a clinic or hospital. The main idea is to make healthcare more convenient and accessible, especially for people who have trouble getting to appointments or live far from medical facilities.

## How It Works for Medicare Seniors

The bill sets up a demonstration program for Medicare Advantage plans (the private insurance option within Medicare) in up to 25 states. Under this program, seniors can get certain at-home tests ordered and monitored through video calls with their doctors. These tests include screenings for cancer, diabetes, heart disease, thyroid problems, and other common conditions. A doctor can order the test remotely, the patient takes it at home (usually a blood test or similar), and then the doctor reviews the results through another video call. The key point: the doctor doesn't have to be in the same room or even the same location as the patient. Medicare would cover these services as part of the plan, and seniors wouldn't pay extra out-of-pocket costs beyond their regular plan premiums.

The program also expands coverage to include other services like fitness benefits, meal delivery, transportation, and home safety equipment—things that can help seniors stay healthy and independent at home longer.

## What This Means for Medicaid Patients

The bill also gives grants to 5 to 10 states to offer similar at-home testing programs through Medicaid (the program for lower-income Americans). States can use up to $12 million each to cover these remote tests and video consultations for their Medicaid patients, with the federal government providing up to $100 million total for this effort.

## The Veterans Pilot Program

Veterans get their own separate program through the VA. The Department of Veterans Affairs will set up a pilot program at five VA facilities (with at least three serving rural areas) where veterans can get at-home tests and telehealth consultations completely free. Veterans enrolled in the VA system who've received care in the past two years can participate. The program runs for three years, with the option to extend it for two more years if it's working well.

## Why This Matters in Practice

For someone like a 72-year-old who lives 45 minutes from the nearest hospital, this could mean getting a cancer screening without spending half a day traveling. For a veteran with mobility issues, it means avoiding a difficult trip to the VA clinic. For people in rural areas where specialists are scarce, it opens access to care that might otherwise be unavailable. The program also aims to reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and help people catch health problems earlier when they're easier to treat.

The bill includes safeguards: doctors still have to determine that tests are medically necessary, and the program will be carefully evaluated to make sure it actually improves patient care and doesn't cost the government more money than traditional care would. If the results look good after a few years, the program could potentially become permanent and expand nationwide.

Advanced Safe Testing at Residence Telehealth Act of 2023

Rep. Schweikert, David [R-AZ-1]

Advanced Safe Testing at Residence Telehealth Act of 2023 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.