Medicare Home Health Flexibility Act of 2017
This bill permits occupational therapists to carry out the initial assessment visit and comprehensive assessment in specific rehabilitation cases under Medicare. It applies when the physician's referral does not include skilled nursing care but does include occupational and physical therapy or speech therapy.
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S 977 — Medicare Home Health Flexibility Act of 2017
Last action — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2619-2620; text of measure as introduced: CR S2620)
No card. One bill, free forever — alerts when it moves.
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✓Introduced
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2In Committee
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3Passed Senate
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4Passed House
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5To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill died with 115th 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This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.
In plain language
The bill allows occupational therapists to perform initial assessments for certain Medicare home health cases.
This bill permits occupational therapists to carry out the initial assessment visit and comprehensive assessment in specific rehabilitation cases under Medicare. It applies when the physician's referral does not include skilled nursing care but does include occupational and physical therapy or speech therapy.
What this means for you
- Healthcare: This means occupational therapists can expand their role in assessing patients for home health services under Medicare.
Summary
Medicare Home Health Flexibility Act of 2017 This bill establishes circumstances under which an occupational therapist may conduct an initial or comprehensive assessment for an individual who is eligible for home health services under Medicare. Specifically, an occupational therapist may conduct the assessment if the physician's referral order does not include skilled nursing care but does include: (1) occupational therapy, and (2) physical therapy or speech language pathology.
Bill Text
- Introduced Introduced in Senate Current html April 27, 2017
Action History
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Introduced in Senate
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2619-2620; text of measure as introduced: CR S2620)
Sponsors
- Benjamin L. Cardin · Primary
- Dean Heller · Cosponsor
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 545 not signed on
Sponsors (1)
- Cardin, Benjamin L. Democratic
Co-sponsors (1)
- Heller, Dean Republican
Not signed on (545)
545 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 545 →"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.
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does S 977 do?
- Medicare Home Health Flexibility Act of 2017 This bill establishes circumstances under which an occupational therapist may conduct an initial or comprehensive assessment for an individual who is eligible for home health services under Medicare. Specifically, an occupational therapist may conduct the assessment if the physician's referral order does not include skilled nursing care but does include: (1) occupational therapy, and (2) physical therapy or speech language pathology.
- Who sponsors S 977?
- S 977 is sponsored by Cardin, Benjamin L. (Democratic) and Heller, Dean (Republican).
- What is the current status of S 977?
- This bill died with 115th 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 S 977?
- Track S 977 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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