United States 116th Congress Status: In Committee 1 D cosponsors

HR 4665 — Medicare Vision Act of 2019

Last action — Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 304.

  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 116th 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This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there are no live odds of enactment.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.

Summary

Medicare 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.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

70 added · 29 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendment to HR 4665 adds further clarity to the services covered, specifying "routine eye examinations to determine the refractive state of the eyes, including procedures performed during the course of such examination" as well as "contact lens fitting services." It removes details regarding payment structures and limits that were previously in the bill, which may simplify the payment process for eyeglasses and contact lenses but leaves the payment terms unspecified.

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4665 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 116th CONGRESS 1st Session H.
4665 Reported in House (RH)] <DOC> Union Calendar No.
304 116th CONGRESS 2d Session H.
4665 To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for certain vision items and services under part B of the Medicare program.
4665 [Report No.
116-327, Parts I and II] To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for certain vision items and services under part B of the Medicare program.
which was 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 _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for certain vision items and services under part B of the Medicare program.
which was 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 December 6, 2019 Reported from the Committee on Ways and Means with an amendment [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic] January 24, 2020 Additional sponsors:
Ms.
Castor of Florida, Ms.
Norton, Mr.
Cuellar, and Mr.
Welch January 24, 2020 Reported from the Committee on Energy and Commerce, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed [For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on October 11, 2019] _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for certain vision items and services under part B of the Medicare program.
``(kkk) Vision Services.--The term `vision services' means-- ``(1) routine eye examinations, including procedures performed during the course of such examination to determine the refractive state of the eyes;
``(kkk) Vision Services.--The term `vision services' means-- ``(1) routine eye examinations to determine the refractive state of the eyes, including procedures performed during the course of such examination;
and ``(2) contact lens fitting services, furnished on or after January 1, 2022, by or under the direct supervision of an optometrist or ophthalmologist who is legally authorized to furnish such examinations, procedures, or fitting services (as applicable) under State law (or the State regulatory mechanism provided by State law) of the State in which the examinations, procedures, or fitting services are furnished.''.
and ``(2) contact lens fitting services;
furnished on or after January 1, 2022, by or under the direct supervision of an optometrist or ophthalmologist who is legally authorized to furnish such examinations, procedures, or fitting services (as applicable) under State law (or the State regulatory mechanism provided by State law) of the State in which the examinations, procedures, or fitting services are furnished.''.
``(6) Payment limitations for eyeglasses and contact lenses.--With respect to eyeglasses and contact lenses furnished to an individual on or after January 1, 2022, payment may be made under this part only-- ``(A) during any 2-year period, for either 1 pair of eyeglasses (including lenses and frames) or a 2-year supply that is provided in not more than 180-day increments of contact lenses;
``(6) Payment limitations for eyeglasses and contact lenses.-- ``(A) In general.--With respect to eyeglasses and contact lenses furnished to an individual on or after January 1, 2022, subject to subparagraph (B), payment may be made under this part only-- ``(i) during a 2-year period, for either 1 pair of eyeglasses (including lenses and frames) or a 2-year supply that is provided in not more than 180-day increments of contact lenses;
``(B) with respect to amounts attributable to the frames of such a pair of eyeglasses and amounts attributable to contact lenses furnished during a year, in an amount not greater than-- ``(i) for 2022, $100;
``(ii) with respect to amounts attributable to the frames of such a pair of eyeglasses and amounts attributable to contact lenses furnished during a year, in an amount not greater than-- ``(I) for 2022, $100;
and ``(ii) for a subsequent year, the amount specified under this subparagraph for the previous year, increased by the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers during such previous year;
and ``(II) for a subsequent year, the amount specified under this subparagraph for the previous year, increased by the percentage change in the consumer price index for all urban consumers during such previous year;
``(C) for types of eyeglass lenses, and for types of contact lenses, as determined appropriate by the Secretary;
``(iii) for types of eyeglass lenses, and for types of contact lenses, as determined appropriate by the Secretary;
and ``(D) if furnished pursuant to a written order of a physician described in section 1861(kkk).''.
``(iv) if furnished pursuant to a written order of a physician described in section 1861(kkk);
and ``(v) if during the 2-year period described in clause (i), the individual did not already receive (as described in subparagraph (B)) one pair of conventional eyeglasses or contact lenses subsequent to a cataract surgery with insertion of an intraocular lens furnished during such period.
``(B) Exception.--With respect to a 2-year period described in subparagraph (A)(i), in the case of an individual who receives cataract surgery with insertion of an intraocular lens, notwithstanding subparagraph (A), payment may be made under this part for one pair of conventional eyeglasses or contact lenses furnished subsequent to such cataract surgery during such period.''.
(ii) by inserting ``and of eyeglasses and contact lenses described in paragraph (2)(D) of such section,'' after ``2009,'';
(ii) by inserting ``and of eyeglasses and contact lenses described in paragraph (2)(D) of such section,'' after ``2009,'' ;
<all>
Union Calendar No.
304 116th CONGRESS 2d Session H.
R.
4665 [Report No.
116-327, Parts I and II] _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for certain vision items and services under part B of the Medicare program.
_______________________________________________________________________ January 24, 2020 Reported from the Committee on Energy and Commerce, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed
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How this bill changes current law

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

The bill adds coverage for certain vision services under Medicare Part B, including routine eye exams and contact lens fittings.

  • 42 U.S.C. 1395x(s)(2)

    (II) vision services (as defined in subsection (kkk));

    This adds vision services to the list of covered items under Medicare Part B.

  • 42 U.S.C. 1395x

    (kkk) Vision Services.--The term `vision services' means-- (1) routine eye examinations to determine the refractive state of the eyes, including procedures performed during the course of such examination; and (2) contact lens fitting services; furnished on or after January 1, 2022, by or under the direct supervision of an optometrist or ophthalmologist who is legally authorized to furnish such examinations, procedures, or fitting services (as applicable) under State law (or the State regulatory mechanism provided by State law) of the State in which the examinations, procedures, or fitting services are furnished.

    This defines what constitutes vision services for Medicare coverage.

  • 42 U.S.C. 1395l(a)(1)

    and → and (DD) with respect to vision services (as defined in section 1861(kkk)), the amount paid shall be equal to 80 percent of the lesser of the actual charge or the amount determined under the payment basis determined under section 1848.

    This establishes payment rates for vision services under Medicare, equal to 80% of the lower of actual charges or the applicable payment rate.

  • 42 U.S.C. 1395m

    (x) Limitation for Vision Services.--With respect to vision services (as defined in section 1861(kkk)) and an individual, payment may be made under this part for only 1 routine eye examination described in paragraph (1) of such section and 1 contact lens fitting service described in paragraph (2) of such section during a 2-year period.

    This sets a limit on the frequency of covered vision services under Medicare, allowing one routine eye exam and one contact lens fitting every two years.

  • 42 U.S.C. 1395w-4(j)(3)

    (2)(II),

    This modification includes vision services in the physician fee schedule adjustments.

  • 42 U.S.C. 1395m(h)

    (6) Payment limitations for eyeglasses and contact lenses.-- (A) In general.--With respect to eyeglasses and contact lenses furnished to an individual on or after January 1, 2022, subject to subparagraph (B), payment may be made under this part only-- (i) during a 2-year period, for either 1 pair of eyeglasses (including lenses and frames) or a 2-year supply that is provided in not more than 180-day increments of contact lenses; (ii) with respect to amounts attributable to the frames of such a pair of eyeglasses and amounts attributable to contact lenses furnished during a year, in an amount not greater than-- (I) for 2022, $100; and (II) for a subsequent year, the amount specified under this subparagraph for the previous year, increased by the percentage change in the consumer price index for all urban consumers during such previous year; (iii) for types of eyeglass lenses, and for types of contact lenses, as determined appropriate by the Secretary; (iv) if furnished pursuant to a written order of a physician described in section 1861(kkk); and (v) if during the 2-year period described in clause (i), the individual did not already receive (as described in subparagraph (B)) one pair of conventional eyeglasses or contact lenses subsequent to a cataract surgery with insertion of an intraocular lens furnished during such period.

    This establishes specific payment terms and conditions for eyeglasses and contact lenses, including limits and criteria for coverage.

  • 42 U.S.C. 1395y(a)

    (Q) in the case of vision services (as defined in section 1861(kkk)) that are routine eye examinations and contact lens fitting services (as described in paragraph (1) or (2), respectively, of such section), which are furnished more frequently than once during a 2-year period;

    This excludes certain vision services from coverage if they are provided more often than allowed under the established frequency limits.

Action History

  1. Hearings Held by the Subcommittee on Health Prior to Introduction and Referral.

  2. Introduced in House

  3. Introduced in House

  4. Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

  8. Subcommittee on Health Discharged.

  9. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  10. Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

  11. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  12. Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Voice Vote.

  13. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 116-327, Part I.

  14. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 116-327, Part I.

  15. Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 116-327, Part II.

  16. Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 116-327, Part II.

  17. Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 304.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 546 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (546)

546 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 546 →

"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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Frequently asked questions

What does HR 4665 do?
Medicare 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.
Who sponsors HR 4665?
HR 4665 is sponsored by Schrier, Kim (Democratic).
What is the current status of HR 4665?
This bill died with 116th 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 4665?
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