United States 117th Congress Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 52 D · 17 R cosponsors

HR 2144 — Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act of 2021

Last action — Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 117th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there are no live odds of enactment. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

In plain language

The bill expands Medicare coverage for services provided by genetic counselors.

The Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act of 2021 amends Medicare to include coverage for genetic counseling services. It establishes parameters for who can provide these services and sets payment guidelines for genetic counselors.

What this means for you
  • Families: This means families may gain easier access to genetic counseling services through Medicare.

Summary

Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act of 2021 This bill provides for coverage under Medicare of genetic counseling services that are furnished by genetic counselors. Covered services include those services, as well as incidental services and supplies, that would otherwise be covered under Medicare if provided by a physician.

Bill Text

How this bill changes current law

8 changes Share ↗

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill expands Medicare coverage to include services provided by genetic counselors.

  • 42 U.S.C. 1395x

    (II) covered genetic counseling services (as defined in subsection (kkk)(1));

    Adds covered genetic counseling services to the list of services covered under Medicare.

  • 42 U.S.C. 1395x

    Covered Genetic Counseling Services (kkk)(1) The term "covered genetic counseling services" means genetic counseling services furnished by a genetic counselor (as defined in paragraph (2)) (and such services and supplies furnished as an incident to the provision of such services) as would otherwise be covered under this title if furnished by a physician (or as incident to a physician's service). (2) The term `genetic counselor' means an individual who--(A) is licensed as a genetic counselor by the State in which the individual furnishes genetic counseling services; or (B) in the case of an individual practicing in a State that does not license genetic counselors, meets such other criteria as the Secretary establishes. The provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed as preventing other practitioners, including those providing telehealth services, from providing covered genetic counseling services within the scope of their practice.

    Defines covered genetic counseling services and outlines who qualifies as a genetic counselor.

  • 42 U.S.C. 1395w-4(j)(3)

    (2)(II),

    Modifies subsection regarding physicians' services to include the new coverage for genetic counseling.

  • 42 U.S.C. 1395l(a)(1)

    and (CC) → (CC)

    Amends the list of services in the payment section to reflect the addition of covered genetic counseling services.

  • 42 U.S.C. 1395l(a)(1)

    and (DD) with respect to covered genetic counseling services under section 1861(s)(2)(II), furnished by a genetic counselor, the amount of payment for such service shall be an amount equal to 85 percent of the lesser of the actual charge for the services or the amount determined under the fee schedule established under section 1848(b) for the same services if furnished by a physician.

    Establishes the payment rate for genetic counseling services at 85% under the same conditions as physician services.

  • 42 U.S.C. 1395m

    Use of Modifier With Respect to Genetic Counseling Services.--(1) Establishment.--Not later than January 1, 2022, the Secretary shall establish a modifier to be utilized with evaluation and management CPT codes to indicate (in a form and manner specified by the Secretary), in the case of covered genetic counseling services under section 1861(s)(2)(II), if such services were furnished by a genetic counselor.

    Requires the establishment of a modifier to identify when genetic counseling services are provided by a genetic counselor.

  • 42 U.S.C. 1395l(r)

    Application to genetic counselors.--The provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2) shall apply with respect to covered genetic counseling services described in section 1861(s)(2)(II) and genetic counselors (as defined in section 1861(kkk)(2)) in the same manner as such provisions apply with respect to services described in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(ii) and nurse practitioners.

    Ensures that payment assignment provisions applicable to certain services also apply to services provided by genetic counselors.

  • 42 U.S.C. 1395(y)(a)(14)

    covered genetic counseling services,

    Updates the list of services that include coverage for genetic counseling services.

Action History

  1. Introduced in House

  2. Introduced in House

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

  6. Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 68 co-sponsors · 478 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (68)

Not signed on (478)

478 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Subjects

healthcare health-insurance
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Frequently asked questions

What does HR 2144 do?
Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act of 2021 This bill provides for coverage under Medicare of genetic counseling services that are furnished by genetic counselors. Covered services include those services, as well as incidental services and supplies, that would otherwise be covered under Medicare if provided by a physician.
Who sponsors HR 2144?
HR 2144 is sponsored by Higgins, Brian (Democratic), Kelly, Mike (Republican), Kind, Ron (Democratic), Davis, Rodney (Republican), Buchanan, Vern (Republican), Manning, Kathy E. (Democratic), Napolitano, Grace F. (Democratic), Fitzpatrick, Brian K. (Republican), Cohen, Steve (Democratic), Kuster, Ann M. (Democratic), Swalwell, Eric (Democratic), Price, David E. (Democratic), DeGette, Diana (Democratic), Axne, Cynthia (Democratic), Norton, Eleanor Holmes (Democratic), Grijalva, Raúl M. (Democratic), Levin, Andy (Democratic), Balderson, Troy (Republican), Blunt Rochester, Lisa (Democratic), Yarmuth, John A. (Democratic), Timmons, William R. (Republican), Ruppersberger, C. A. Dutch (Democratic), Wild, Susan (Democratic), Underwood, Lauren (Democratic), Hollingsworth, Trey (Republican), Trone, David J. (Democratic), Raskin, Jamie (Democratic), Bonamici, Suzanne (Democratic), Doyle, Michael F. (Democratic), Smith, Adrian (Republican), Tonko, Paul (Democratic), Burgess, Michael C. (Republican), González-Colón, Jenniffer (Republican), Jones, Mondaire (Democratic), Castor, Kathy (Democratic), Auchincloss, Jake (Democratic), Dean, Madeleine (Democratic), O'Halleran, Tom (Democratic), Rush, Bobby L. (Democratic), Maloney, Carolyn B. (Democratic), Bilirakis, Gus M. (Republican), Mullin, Markwayne (Republican), DeSaulnier, Mark (Democratic), Kilmer, Derek (Democratic), Bacon, Don (Republican), Sewell, Terri A. (Democratic), Rutherford, John H. (Republican), Murphy, Stephanie N. (Democratic), Carbajal, Salud O. (Democratic), Gottheimer, Josh (Democratic), Schakowsky, Janice D. (Democratic), McKinley, David B. (Republican), Craig, Angie (Democratic), Lieu, Ted (Democratic), Pingree, Chellie (Democratic), Evans, Dwight (Democratic), Scanlon, Mary Gay (Democratic), Brown, Anthony G. (Democratic), Bishop, Sanford D. (Democratic), Bowman, Jamaal (Democratic), Dunn, Neal P. (Republican), Peters, Scott H. (Democratic), Sherrill, Mikie (Democratic), Rice, Kathleen M. (Democratic), Welch, Peter (Democratic), Chu, Judy (Democratic), Beatty, Joyce (Democratic), Flood, Mike (Republican), and Williams, Nikema (Democratic).
What is the current status of HR 2144?
This bill died with 117th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HR 2144?
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