Results for
Medicare at 50 Act
S #470 | Last Action: 2/13/2019Medicare at 50 Act This bill establishes a Medicare buy-in option for certain qualifying individuals and also repeals restrictions relating to prescription drug prices under the Medicare prescription drug benefit. Specifically, the bill allows individuals aged 50 to 64 to enroll in Medicare if such individuals would otherwise qualify for Medicare at the age of 65. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must determine enrollment periods and set premiums for the buy-in option established under the bill, in accordance with specified requirements. The CMS must also award grants to states and nonprofit organizations for outreach and enrollment activities relating to the buy-in option. The bill also repeals provisions that prohibit the CMS from negotiating the prices of prescription drugs or from establishing a formulary under the Medicare prescription drug benefit.Medicare Patient Empowerment Act of 2019
S #2812 | Last Action: 11/7/2019Medicare Patient Empowerment Act of2019 This bill allows any Medicare beneficiary to enter into a contract with an eligible professional, regardless of whether the professional is a participating or non-participating physician or practitioner, for any item or service covered by Medicare. Such beneficiaries may submit a claim for Medicare payment in the amount that would otherwise apply, except that, where the professional is considered to be non-participating, payment shall be paid as if the professional were participating. An eligible professional is a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, certified registered nurse anesthetist, certified nurse-midwife, clinical social worker, clinical psychologist, registered dietitian or nutrition professional, physical or occupational therapist, qualified speech-language pathologist, or qualified audiologist. A Medicare beneficiary must agree in writing in such a contract to (1) pay the eligible professional for a Medicare-covered item or service; and (2) submit, in lieu of the eligible professional, a claim for Medicare payment. However, a beneficiary may negotiate, as a term of the contract, for the eligible professional to file such claims on the beneficiary's behalf. The bill preempts state laws from limiting the amount of charges for physician and practitioner services for which Medicare payment is made.Medicare IVIG Access Enhancement Act
HR #2905 | Last Action: 5/22/2019Medicare IVIG Access Enhancement Act This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to establish a three-year demonstration project to evaluate the benefits of providing Medicare coverage and payment for items and services needed for the in-home administration of intravenous immune globulin to treat chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy or multifocal motor neuropathy. Beneficiary participation shall be voluntary.Medicare Reimbursement Equity Act of 2020
S #4932 | Last Action: 12/1/2020Medicare Reimbursement Equity Act of 2020 This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to ensure that the value of evaluation and management post-operative visits in Medicare global surgical packages is equal to that of specified evaluation and management services as of January 1, 2021.Medicare Hearing Act of 2019
HR #4618 | Last Action: 12/6/2019Medicare Hearing Act of 2019 This bill expands Medicare coverage to include hearing aids and hearing rehabilitation and treatment services, in accordance with specified limitations. The bill also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to report on the feasibility of audiologists providing services to Medicare beneficiaries without underlying referrals from physicians or other practitioners. Such services may be provided in accordance with corresponding regulations, as specified.Medicare Crisis Program Act of 2020
HR #6674 | Last Action: 5/1/2020Medicare Crisis Program Act of 2020 This bill makes a series of changes to health insurance coverage and requirements during the public health emergency relating to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). For example, the bill makes several changes to Medicare and Medicare Advantage (MA) during the public health emergency. Among other things, the bill * allows all individuals who receive unemployment benefits, and their dependents, to enroll in Medicare if they otherwise do not have health insurance coverage; * eliminates cost-sharing for COVID-19 drugs and treatment services under Medicare and MA; * eliminates premiums under Medicare and caps overall cost-sharing under Medicare and MA; and * establishes a national clearinghouse for the purchase and distribution of COVID-19 personal protective equipment for Medicare providers. The bill also alters requirements under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and for private health insurers during the emergency. Among other things, the bill * requires coverage of COVID-19 vaccines and treatment services under Medicaid and CHIP without cost-sharing; * increases the Medicaid Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) that is otherwise applicable during the public health emergency, including for states experiencing economic downturns (i.e., high unemployment); * requires private health insurers to cover COVID-19 treatment services without cost-sharing; and * requires federal payment to health care providers for the cost of COVID-19 treatment services that are provided to uninsured individuals, based on Medicare payment rates.Preventing Diabetes in Medicare Act of 2019
S #2905 | Last Action: 11/20/2019Preventing Diabetes in Medicare Act of2019 This bill extends Medicare coverage for medical nutrition therapy services to beneficiaries with pre-diabetes or risk factors for developing type-2 diabetes.Medicare Advantage Quality Payment Relief Act of 2019
S #1114 | Last Action: 4/10/2019Medicare Advantage Quality Payment Relief Act of2019 This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to disregard the application of certain percentage quality increases when calculating the maximum payment that may be made to a Medicare Advantage organization.Medicare Advantage Quality Payment Relief Act of 2019
HR #2131 | Last Action: 4/10/2019Medicare Advantage Quality Payment Relief Act of2019 This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to disregard the application of certain percentage quality increases when calculating the maximum payment that may be made to a Medicare Advantage organization.Medicare Enrollment Protection Act
HR #2564 | Last Action: 5/7/2019Medicare Enrollment Protection Act This bill creates a special Medicare enrollment period for individuals enrolled in, or transitioning out of, continuation coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)—a federal law that allows an individual to maintain health coverage following loss of coverage due to termination of employment or another qualifying event. The bill exempts such individuals from certain monthly premium increases associated with delaying Medicare coverage.Language Access for Medicare Beneficiaries Act of 2019
HR #4675 | Last Action: 10/15/2019Language Access for Medicare Beneficiaries Act of 2019 This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to translate the annual explanation of Medicare benefits for enrollees into multiple languages, besides English and Spanish. The CMS must prioritize languages into which Social Security documents are translated or that are most frequently requested for purposes of Social Security benefits applications.Medicare Vision Act of 2019
HR #4665 | Last Action: 10/15/2019Medicare Vision Act of 2019 This bill expands Medicare coverage to include eyeglasses, contact lenses, and vision services, in accordance with specified limitations. Covered services include routine eye examinations and contact lens fittings.Medicare Extra Rx HELP Act of 2019
S #691 | Last Action: 3/7/2019Medicare Extra Rx Higher Eligibility Limits in Part D Act of 2019 or the Medicare Extra Rx HELP Act of 2019 This bill expands eligibility for certain premium subsidies for low-income beneficiaries under the Medicare prescription drug benefit. Specifically, the bill raises the maximum allowable income for beneficiaries to qualify from 135% to 200% of the federal poverty line.Medicare-X Choice Act of 2019
S #981 | Last Action: 4/2/2019Medicare-X Choice Act of 2019 This bill establishes and funds the Medicare Exchange health plan, which allows individuals who are not otherwise eligible for Medicare to enroll in a government-administered health insurance plan. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must offer such plan in certain individual health insurance exchanges beginning plan year 2021 and offer it in all individual health insurance exchanges beginning plan year 2024. CMS must offer the plan in the small group market in all geographic areas for plan year 2025. The plan must meet the same requirements, including essential health benefits, as existing health insurance exchange plans. Unless they opt out, health care providers enrolled under Medicare or under a state Medicaid plan must participate in the plan and are reimbursed at Medicare rates. The bill establishes a grants program for community organizations, educational institutions, and health agencies to create service partnerships and establish interactive data systems for health care providers. Additionally, the bill expands the premium tax credit available for plans purchased through an exchange and eliminates the restriction on the Department of Health and Human Services negotiating prescription drug prices for Medicare. Medicare-X Choice Act of 2019
HR #2000 | Last Action: 4/1/2019Medicare-X Choice Act of 2019 This bill establishes and funds the Medicare Exchange health plan, which allows individuals who are not otherwise eligible for Medicare to enroll in a government-administered health insurance plan. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must offer such plan in certain individual health insurance exchanges beginning plan year 2021 and offer it in all individual health insurance exchanges beginning plan year 2024. CMS must offer the plan in the small group market in all geographic areas for plan year 2025. The plan must meet the same requirements, including essential health benefits, as existing health insurance exchange plans. Unless they opt out, health care providers enrolled under Medicare or under a state Medicaid plan must participate in the plan and are reimbursed at Medicare rates. The bill establishes a grants program for community organizations, educational institutions, and health agencies to create service partnerships and establish interactive data systems for health care providers. Additionally, the bill expands the premium tax credit available for plans purchased through an exchange and eliminates the restriction on the Department of Health and Human Services negotiating prescription drug prices for Medicare. Strengthening Innovation in Medicare and Medicaid Act
HR #5741 | Last Action: 2/3/2020Strengthening Innovation in Medicare and Medicaid Act This bill makes a series of changes to requirements for the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, including additional testing parameters, procedural steps, and reporting requirements for models.Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act of 2019
HR #3654 | Last Action: 7/10/2019Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act of 2019 This bill expands Medicare coverage of chiropractic services to include all services provided by chiropractors, rather than only subluxation corrections through manual manipulation of the spine.Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act of 2019
S #2650 | Last Action: 10/21/2019Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act of 2019 This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish at least one prescription drug plan that is operated by Medicare. Among other things, the plan must (1) serve the entire United States; and (2) be the default plan for enrollees under the Medicare prescription drug benefit, unless the enrollee chooses another plan. Additionally, the CMS must negotiate prices for prescription drugs that are covered under the plan and, if appropriate, encourage the use of more affordable therapeutic equivalents. (Currently, the CMS is prohibited from negotiating the prices of covered drugs under the Medicare prescription drug benefit.) The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality must assess the clinical benefits of drugs and make recommendations to the CMS regarding price negotiations, based on specified information (e.g., comparable international prices).Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act of 2019
HR #4769 | Last Action: 10/21/2019Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act of 2019 This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish at least one prescription drug plan that is operated by Medicare. Among other things, the plan must (1) serve the entire United States; and (2) be the default plan for enrollees under the Medicare prescription drug benefit, unless the enrollee chooses another plan. Additionally, the CMS must negotiate prices for prescription drugs that are covered under the plan and, if appropriate, encourage the use of more affordable therapeutic equivalents. (Currently, the CMS is prohibited from negotiating the prices of covered drugs under the Medicare prescription drug benefit.) The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality must assess the clinical benefits of drugs and make recommendations to the CMS regarding price negotiations, based on specified information (e.g., comparable international prices).Medicare Mental Health Access Act
S #2772 | Last Action: 11/5/2019Medicare Mental Health Access Act This bill expands the definition of "physician," for purposes of the Medicare program, to include a clinical psychologist with respect to the furnishing of qualified psychologist services.Medicare Mental Health Access Act
HR #884 | Last Action: 1/30/2019Medicare Mental Health Access Act This bill expands the definition of "physician," for purposes of the Medicare program, to include a clinical psychologist with respect to the furnishing of qualified psychologist services.Medicare Buy-In and Health Care Stabilization Act of 2019
HR #1346 | Last Action: 12/10/2019Medicare Buy-In and Health Care Stabilization Act of 2019 This bill establishes a Medicare buy-in option for certain qualifying individuals and makes a series of other changes relating to health care costs. Specifically, the bill allows individuals aged 50 to 64 to enroll in Medicare if such individuals would otherwise qualify for Medicare at the age of 65. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must determine enrollment periods and set premiums for the buy-in option established under the bill, in accordance with specified requirements. The CMS must also award grants to states and nonprofit organizations for outreach and enrollment activities relating to the buy-in option. The bill also (1) establishes a supplemental option under Medicare to cover cost-sharing for beneficiaries; (2) repeals provisions that prohibit the CMS from negotiating the prices of prescription drugs; and (3) establishes an individual market reinsurance program relating to coverage of high-cost individuals, as specified.Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2019
HR #1682 | Last Action: 3/13/2019Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of2019 This bill deems an individual receiving outpatient observation services in a hospital as an inpatient for purposes of satisfying the three-day inpatient hospital-stay requirement with respect to Medicare coverage of skilled nursing facility services.Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2019
HR #275 | Last Action: 1/25/2019Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of2019 This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies regarding prices for drugs covered under the Medicare prescription drug benefit. Current law prohibits the CMS from doing so.Medicare Dental Coverage Act of 2019
HR #4650 | Last Action: 10/11/2019Medicare Dental Coverage Act of 2019 This bill expands Medicare coverage to include dentures and dental and oral health services, in accordance with specified limitations. Covered services include basic and major treatments (as determined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) as well as specified preventive and screening services.