HR 2013
Medicare Home Health Accessibility Act
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Sign in to record your position, submit testimony, or contact your legislator.
Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill changes Medicare rules to allow individuals to receive occupational therapy as part of their home health services. Currently, Medicare requires patients to qualify for home health based on other needs, like physical therapy, before occupational therapy can be included. This legislation removes that requirement, making occupational therapy a standalone reason for Medicare coverage in home health settings. The changes will take effect on January 1, 2026.
Key provisions
- Medicare will cover occupational therapy as a standalone home health service.
- The bill amends Section 1814(a)(2)(C) of the Social Security Act.
- The bill amends Section 1835(a)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act.
- Coverage for occupational therapy will begin on January 1, 2026.
Who is affected
- Medicare beneficiaries
- Home health service providers
- Occupational therapists
Notable changes
- Removes the requirement that occupational therapy must be linked to other home health services (e.g., physical therapy) for Medicare coverage.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
Submit yoursArguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
No arguments opposed have been submitted.
Submit yoursRead the latest version inline or switch to a previous version.
119th CONGRESS — 1st Session
H. R. 2013
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for eligibility for coverage of home health services under the Medicare program on the basis of a need for occupational therapy.
This Act may be cited as the Medicare Home Health Accessibility Act
.
or speech therapyand all that follows through
need occupational therapyand inserting
, occupational, or speech therapy.
Section 1835(a)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395n(a)(2)(A)) is amended by striking or speech therapy
and all that follows through need occupational therapy
and inserting , occupational, or speech therapy
.
The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) shall apply to home health services provided on or after January 1, 2026.