ALS Better Care Act
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
Overview
The ALS Better Care Act aims to improve access to care for individuals diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by expanding Medicare coverage for ALS-related services. It seeks to increase reimbursement rates for healthcare providers offering specialized care, including physicians, therapists, and registered nurses, and to address challenges related to telehealth access, particularly in rural areas. The bill also includes provisions to support ALS clinical trials and research, aiming to accelerate the development of new treatments.
Key provisions
- Expands Medicare coverage to include ALS-related services such as physician support, occupational therapy, speech pathology, physical therapy, dietary support, respiratory support, and registered nurse support.
- Establishes a single payment system for ALS-related services, with initial payment amounts of $800 per visit in 2027, increasing annually based on market basket adjustments.
- Includes a payment adjustment for providers participating in ALS clinical trials.
- Supports telehealth access for ALS patients, particularly those in rural or underserved areas.
- Requires the Secretary to establish a mechanism for payments based on ICD-10 codes for ALS diagnoses.
- Prohibits cost-sharing for payments related to ALS-related services.
- Defines ‘qualified provider’ for ALS-related services, considering input from patients, providers, and relevant organizations.
- Directs the National Institutes of Health to report on challenges and recommendations for ALS clinical trials.
Bill text
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Sponsors
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14 on record
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