H.R. 3178 · 115th Congress
Medicare Part B Improvement Act of 2017
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Passed the House without a recorded vote, then expired. It passed by voice vote or unanimous consent, which don't record how each member voted, but didn't become law before the 115th Congress ended.
10 cosponsors · 4 D, 6 R
7 signed on when it was introduced; the rest joined later. Cosponsors who withdrew aren't shown.
- House Introduced Jul 11, 2017
- House Passed Jul 25, 2017
What it does: CRS summary · Passed House amended · Jul 25, 2017
Medicare Part B Improvement Act of 2017
TITLE I--IMPROVEMENTS IN PROVISION OF HOME INFUSION THERAPY
(Sec. 101) This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to temporarily provide for transitional Medicare payment with respect to certain home infusion services furnished on or after January 1, 2019. Under current law, the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is required to establish a permanent payment system with respect to such services furnished on or after January 1, 2021.
(Sec. 102) The bill extends the Medicare Intravenous Immune Globulin demonstration project through 2020, subject to the availability of funds. A Medicare beneficiary who is enrolled in the project on September 30, 2017, shall be automatically reenrolled, subject to an existing cap on project participants.
(Sec. 103) Documentation created by an orthotist or prosthetist shall be considered part of a Medicare beneficiary's medical record for purposes of determining the reasonableness and medical necessity of orthotics and prosthetics.
TITLE II--IMPROVEMENTS IN DIALYSIS SERVICES
(Sec. 201) The bill allows renal dialysis facilities to be accredited by a CMS-approved accreditation body for participation in the Medicare program. The bill also establishes a time frame with respect to initial surveys of renal dialysis facilities.
(Sec. 202) A Medicare beneficiary who has end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and is receiving home dialysis may choose to receive monthly ESRD-related visits via telehealth, provided that the beneficiary also receives face-to-face visits periodically. Specified facility fees and geographic requirements shall not apply with respect to the provision of such services via telehealth.
The Government Accountability Office must study and report to Congress on the further expansion of Medicare coverage of renal dialysis services furnished via telehealth.
TITLE III--IMPROVEMENTS IN APPLICATION OF STARK RULE
(Sec. 301) The bill codifies certain CMS rules regarding signature requirements and holdover arrangements as they relate to prohibitions against physician self-referrals.
(Sec. 302) The bill reduces annual funding available to the Medicare Improvement Fund beginning in FY2021.
Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov
About this bill and sources
Official title: Medicare Part B Improvement Act of 2017
Latest action (Jul 26, 2017): Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Policy area: Health · Origin: House · Introduced: Jul 11, 2017
Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML)
- House Introduced Jul 11, 2017
- House Passed Jul 25, 2017
No recorded floor vote found.