Bill Details
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AI Summary This summary was generated by AI from the bill text. AI can get information wrong.
This bill would change Medicare so it pays for the transportation and setup of portable ultrasound services in the same way it already pays for portable X-ray services. It would also treat ultrasound tests more like X-ray tests under Medicare rules, which could make it easier for patients to get these services where they live or receive care. The goal is to create fair payment for providers who bring portable ultrasound equipment to patients instead of requiring patients to travel for the test. The changes would start on January 1, 2027.
- Medicare would be required to make a separate payment for portable ultrasound transportation and setup services.
- That payment would follow the same approach used for portable X-ray transportation and setup.
- The bill would also update Medicare’s definition of covered diagnostic services to include ultrasound tests alongside X-ray tests.
- Suppliers of these services would have to meet requirements set by Medicare, and those rules would be similar to the ones already used for portable X-ray suppliers.
Official Summaries
Portable Ultrasound Reimbursement Equity Act of 2025
This bill provides for Medicare coverage of ultrasound tests performed at a beneficiary's home. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must provide for separate payments for portable ultrasound services in the same manner and to the same extent as for portable X-ray services.
Current Full Text
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1168 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1168
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage of
portable ultrasound transportation and set up services under the
Medicare program.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 27, 2025
Mr. Cornyn (for himself and Ms. Hassan) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage of
portable ultrasound transportation and set up services under the
Medicare program.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Portable Ultrasound Reimbursement
Equity Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. COVERAGE OF PORTABLE ULTRASOUND TRANSPORTATION AND SET UP
SERVICES UNDER THE MEDICARE PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Section 1861(s)(3) of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1395x(s)(3)) is amended by striking ``diagnostic X-ray tests''
and inserting ``diagnostic X-ray and ultrasound tests''.
(b) Ensuring Equitable Payment for Portable Ultrasound
Transportation Services.--Section 1834 of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1395m) is amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
``(aa) Ensuring Equitable Payment for Portable Ultrasound
Transportation and Set Up Services.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide a separate
payment under this part for portable ultrasound transportation
and set up services in the same manner and to the same extent
that separate payments are provided for portable X-ray
transportation and set up services.
``(2) Payment requirements.--The Secretary shall specify
requirements applicable to suppliers of portable ultrasound
transportation and set up services under this part. Such
requirements shall be substantially similar to the requirements
applicable to suppliers of portable X-ray services under
subpart C of part 486 of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations
(or a successor regulation).''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall
apply with respect to services furnished on or after January 1, 2027.
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