Patient Access and Medicare Protection Act

Summary

Patient Access and Medicare Protection Act This bill temporarily exempts from certain Medicare payment adjustments wheelchair accessories and seat and back cushions furnished in connection with Group 3 complex rehabilitative power wheelchairs. (Group 3 power wheelchairs are those that meet the highest performance requirements with regard to speed, range, and climbing capability.) In addition, the bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSAct) to prohibit specified adjustments to the Medicare fee schedule for certain radiation therapy services in 2017 or 2018. For 2017, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) may exempt categories of eligible professionals from requirements for meaningful use of electronic health records (EHR). The bill eliminates funding for the Medicare Improvement Fund. (The fund was established to make improvements under the original Medicare fee-for-service program.) The bill also amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the SSAct to make several changes related to the prevention of Medicaid fraud. Under current law, CMS may contract with Medicare administrative contractors (MACs), which are private insurers that process Medicare claims within specified geographic jurisdictions. The bill requires CMS to provide specified incentives for MACs to reduce improper payment error rates within their jurisdictions. The bill establishes criminal penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment and up to $500,000 ($1,000,000 for corporations) in fines for illegally purchasing or distributing Medicare, Medicaid, or Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) beneficiary identification or billing privileges. The bill increases the scope of the Medicare-Medicaid Data Match Program (Medi-Medi Program), an existing program through which contractors and participating governmental agencies collaboratively analyze Medicare and Medicaid billing trends. CMS must establish a plan to encourage states to participate in the Medi-Medi Program.

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Timeline

1. 18 December 2015

   Passed

   Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

   Source: Floor

2. 18 December 2015

   Passed

   On passage Passed without objection. (text: CR H10706-10707)

   Source: Floor

3. 18 December 2015

   Passed

   Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.(text: CR H10706-10707)

   Source: Floor

4. 18 December 2015

   Floor

   Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H10706-10707)

   Source: Floor

5. 18 December 2015

   Floor

   Mr. Price, Tom asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table and consider.

   Source: Floor

6. 18 December 2015

   Floor

   Received in the House.

   Source: Floor

7. 18 December 2015

   Introduced

   Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S8859-8861; text as passed Senate: CR S8859-8861)

   Source: Floor

8. 18 December 2015

   Introduced

   Passed/agreed to in Senate: Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR S8859-8861; text as passed Senate: CR S8859-8861)

   Source: Floor

9. 18 December 2015

   Introduced

   Introduced in Senate

   Source: IntroReferral

10. 23 December 2015

    Floor

    Presented to President.

    Source: Floor

11. 23 December 2015

    President

    Presented to President.

    Source: President

12. 28 December 2015

    Became law

    Became Public Law No: 114-115.

    Source: President

13. 28 December 2015

    Became law

    Signed by President.

    Source: BecameLaw

14. 28 December 2015

    President

    Signed by President.

    Source: President

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

• Enrolled Bill · undated · Official file
• Public Law · 28 December 2015 · Official file
• Considered and Passed Senate · 18 December 2015 · Official file
• Engrossed in Senate · 18 December 2015 · Official file

Documents

12 official files

• Enrolled Bill (text)

  Enrolled Bill · EN

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Enrolled Bill (PDF)

  Enrolled Bill · EN

  DownloadOpen at official source

• Public Law (text)

  Public Law · EN · 28 December 2015

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Public Law (PDF)

  Public Law · EN · 28 December 2015

  DownloadOpen at official source

• Public Law

  summary · EN · 28 December 2015

  Open at official source

• Engrossed in Senate (text)

  Engrossed in Senate · EN · 18 December 2015

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Engrossed in Senate (PDF)

  Engrossed in Senate · EN · 18 December 2015

  DownloadOpen at official source

• Considered and Passed Senate (text)

  Considered and Passed Senate · EN · 18 December 2015

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Considered and Passed Senate (PDF)

  Considered and Passed Senate · EN · 18 December 2015

  DownloadOpen at official source

• Passed House without amendment

  summary · EN · 18 December 2015

  Open at official source

• Passed Senate without amendment

  summary · EN · 18 December 2015

  Open at official source

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 18 December 2015

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Burr, Richard [R-NC] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Blunt, Roy [R-MO] · R · Sponsor
• Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI] · D · Sponsor

Related records

• related to → Preventing and Reducing Improper Medicare and Medicaid Expenditures to Restore Integrity to Benefits Act of 2015