S 2831
Stand Strong for Medicare Act
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To President
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill, the Stand Strong for Medicare Act, expands Medicare coverage to include items designed to prevent falls. Specifically, it amends Medicare to cover grab bars, non-slip mats, shower chairs, bed rails, and other specified fall prevention items. The bill also modifies existing Medicare rules to allow for coverage of these items even without a physician’s order and exempts payments for these items from sequestration.
Key provisions
- Medicare coverage is expanded to include grab bars, non-slip mats, shower chairs, and bed rails.
- The definition of ‘fall prevention items’ is established within the Medicare program.
- Medicare coverage for these items is available even without a physician’s order.
- Payments for fall prevention items are exempt from sequestration.
Who is affected
- Medicare beneficiaries
- Healthcare providers
- Medical equipment suppliers
Notable changes
- Medicare now covers items specifically designed to prevent falls.
- Coverage is available without a physician’s order in certain circumstances.
Fiscal impact
The bill exempts payments for fall prevention items from sequestration, which could have a budgetary impact.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Angus S., Jr. King
Cosponsor
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119th CONGRESS — 1st Session
S. 2831
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
A BILL
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for certain fall prevention items under the Medicare program.
This Act may be cited as the Stand Strong for Medicare Act
.
in subsection (n)—
by striking and wheelchairs
and inserting wheelchairs
; and
by inserting , and fall prevention items (as defined in subsection (nnn))
after may prescribe)
; and
by adding at the end the following new subsection:
fall prevention itemsincludes grab bars, non-slip mats, shower chairs, bed rails, and such other items or categories of items as the Secretary may specify.
Section 1862(a)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395y(a)(1)) is amended—
in subparagraph (O), by striking and
at the end;
in subparagraph (P), by striking the semicolon and inserting , and
; and
by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply beginning 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.