S 2377 — Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act of 2023

Summary

Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act of 2023This bill provides for Medicare coverage of certain audiology services. Specifically, the bill expands coverage to include diagnostic and treatment services that are furnished by audiologists and that would otherwise be covered if provided by a physician, including incidental services, regardless of whether such services are provided pursuant to a referral from, or under the supervision of, a physician or other health care practitioner.

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in Senate Current html July 19, 2023

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

The bill adds coverage for audiology services under the Medicare program, allowing qualified audiologists to deliver certain services without the need for a physician's referral.

• 42 U.S.C. 1395x(s)(2)

  (KK) audiology services (as defined in subsection (ll)(3));

  This addition specifies that audiology services are now covered under Medicare.

• 42 U.S.C. 1395x(ll)(3)

  The term `audiology services' means such hearing and balance assessment services furnished on or before December 31, 2024, and beginning January 1, 2025, such diagnostic or treatment services furnished by a qualified audiologist which the qualified audiologist is legally authorized to perform under State law (or the regulatory mechanism provided by State law), as would otherwise be covered if furnished by a physician or as incident to a physician's service. → The term `audiology services' means such hearing and balance assessment services furnished on or before December 31, 2024, and beginning January 1, 2025, such diagnostic or treatment services furnished by a qualified audiologist which the qualified audiologist is legally authorized to perform under State law (or the regulatory mechanism provided by State law), as would otherwise be covered if furnished by a physician or as incident to a physician's service. A qualified audiologist shall be permitted to furnish such audiology services without regard to any requirement that the individual receiving such audiology services is under the care of (or referred by) a physician or other health care practitioner or that such services are furnished under the supervision of a physician or other health care practitioner.

  This change redefines audiology services to allow qualified audiologists to provide services independently of physicians' referrals.

• 42 U.S.C. 1395l(a)(1)

  (II) with respect to audiology services furnished under section 1861(s)(2)(KK), the amounts paid shall be 80 percent of the lesser of the actual charge for the services or the fee schedule amount provided under section 1848.

  This establishes the payment rate for audiology services at 80% under the Medicare program.

• 42 U.S.C. 1395u(b)(18)(C)

  (ix) A qualified audiologist (as defined in section 1861(ll)(4)(B)).

  This includes qualified audiologists as recognized practitioners under the Medicare assignment-related payment system.

• 42 U.S.C. 1395x(aa)(1)(B)

  by a qualified audiologist (as defined in subsection (ll)(4)(B)),

  This amendment allows qualified audiologists to be included as practitioners in Rural Health Clinics (RHC) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC).

Action History

1. July 19, 2023

   Introduced in Senate

2. July 19, 2023

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Sponsors

• Elizabeth Warren · Primary

Subjects