US HB2 | 2015-2016 | 114th Congress

Status

Completed Legislative Action
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: Passed on April 16 2015 - 100% progression
Action: 2015-04-16 - Became Public Law No: 114-10. (TXT | PDF)
Text: Latest bill text (Enrolled) [PDF]

Summary

Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 TITLE I--SGR REPEAL AND MEDICARE PROVIDER PAYMENT MODERNIZATION (Sec. 101) Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSAct) to: (1) remove sustainable growth rate (SGR) methodology from the determination of annual conversion factors in the formula for payment for physicians' services, and (2) revise the update in rates for 2015 and subsequent years. Requires two separate conversion factors for each year beginning with 2026, one for items and services furnished by a qualifying alternative payment model (APM) participant (qualifying APM conversion factor), and the other for other items and services (nonqualifying APM conversion factor). Freezes the update to the single conversion factor at 0.0% for January through June 2015. Sets the same update at 0.5% for July1 through December 31, 2015, as well as for 2016 through 2019, then reduces it to 0.00% for 2020 through 2025. Sets the update to the qualifying APM conversion factor at 0.75%, and the update to the nonqualifying APM conversion factor at .0.25%, for 2026 and each subsequent year. Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) to report to Congress on the relationship between: (1) physician and other health professional utilization and expenditures (and their rate of increase) of items and services for which Medicare payment is made; and (2) total utilization and expenditures (and their rate of increase) under Medicare parts A (Hospital Insurance), B (Supplementary Medical Insurance), and D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program). Requires a separate report on the 2015-2019 update to physicians' services under Medicare. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to consolidate components of the three specified existing performance incentive programs into a new Merit-based Incentive Payment (MIP) system under which eligible professionals (including physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and certified registered nurse anesthetists, but excluding most APM participants) shall receive annual payment increases or decreases based on their performance as measured by standards the Secretary shall establish according to specified criteria. Requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to: (1) evaluate the MIP System; (2) examine the similarities and differences in the use of quality measures under the original Medicare fee-for-service program under SSAct title XVIII parts A (Hospital Insurance) and B (Supplementary Medical Insurance), the Medicare Advantage program under SSAct title XVIII part C (Medicare+Choice), selected state medical assistance programs under SSA title XIX (Medicaid), and private payer arrangements; and (3) make recommendations on how to reduce the administrative burden in applying such measures. Directs GAO also to: (1) examine whether entities that pool financial risk for physician practices, such as independent risk managers, can play a role in supporting such practices, particularly small physician practices, in assuming financial risk for the treatment of patients; (2) report on the transition of professionals in rural areas, health professional shortage areas, or medically underserved areas to an APM; and (3) make recommendations for removing administrative barriers to such arrangements, on the one hand, and practices, including small practices, in such areas to participate in APM models. Establishes an ad hoc Physician-Focused Payment Technical Advisory Committee to make comments and recommendations to the Secretary on physician-focused payment models.. Prescribes requirements for incentive payments to eligible APM participants. Directs the Secretary to study: (1) the feasibility of integrating APMs into the Medicare Advantage payment system; and (2) the applicability of federal fraud prevention laws to items and services paid for under an APM. (Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary to draft a plan for development of quality measures to assess professionals, including non-patient-facing professionals. (Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary to make payments for chronic care management services furnished by a physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or certified nurse midwife. Directs the Secretary to conduct an education and outreach campaign to inform relevant professionals and Medicare part B enrollees of the benefits of chronic care management services. (Sec. 104) Directs the Secretary to make publicly available, on an annual basis, information with respect to physicians and other eligible professionals on items and services furnished to Medicare beneficiaries. (Sec. 105) Expands the kinds of uses of Medicare data available to qualified entities for quality improvement activities. Directs the Secretary to provide Medicare data to qualified clinical data registries to facilitate quality improvement or patient safety. (Sec. 106) Allows continuing renewals of any two-year period for which a physician or practitioner opts out of the Medicare claims process under a private contract. Directs the Secretary to make publicly available through an appropriate HHS website information on the number and characteristics of opt-out physicians and practitioners. Declares it a national objective to achieve widespread exchange of health information through interoperable certified electronic health records (EHR) technology nationwide by December 31, 2018. Directs the Secretary to establish related metrics. Requires the Secretary to examine the feasibility of establishing one or more mechanisms to assist providers in comparing and selecting certified EHR technology products Directs GAO to study specified telehealth and remote patient monitoring services. TITLE II--MEDICARE AND OTHER HEALTH EXTENDERS Subtitle A--Medicare Extenders (Sec. 201) Amends SSAct title XVIII to extend through calendar year 2017 the current 1.0 floor for the work geographic practice cost index for adjusting the Medicare fee schedule for physician services. (Sec. 202) Extends through calendar year 2017 the process under which an individual may, upon request, obtain an exception from the uniform dollar limitation for physical therapy services, speech-language pathology services, and occupational therapy services. Directs the Secretary, in place of the manual medical review process, to implement a targeted medical review process to identify and conduct medical reviews for outpatient therapy services furnished by a service provider or supplier. (Sec. 203) Extends through calendar year 2017 the temporary increase in payment for ground ambulance services, including urban, rural, and super rural ground ambulance services. (Sec. 204) Extends through FY2017 the increased inpatient hospital payment adjustment for certain low-volume (subsection [d]) hospitals. (Generally, a subsection [d] hospital is an acute care hospital, particularly one that receives payments under Medicare's inpatient prospective payment system when providing covered inpatient services to eligible beneficiaries.) (Sec. 205) Extends through FY2016 the Medicare-dependent hospital program for certain small rural subsection (d) hospitals. (Sec. 206) Extends through calendar year 2018 the authority of specialized MA plans for special needs individuals to restrict enrollment to individuals within one or more classes of special needs individuals.

Tracking Information

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Title

Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015

Sponsors


Roll Calls

2015-04-14 - Senate - On Passage of the Bill H.R. 2 (Y: 92 N: 8 NV: 0 Abs: 0) [PASS]
2015-04-14 - Senate - On the Motion (Motion to Waive Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: H.R. 2) (Y: 71 N: 29 NV: 0 Abs: 0) [PASS]
2015-04-14 - Senate - On the Motion (Motion to Waive All Applicable Budgetary Discipline Re: Cardin Amdt. No. 1119) (Y: 58 N: 42 NV: 0 Abs: 0) [FAIL]
2015-04-14 - Senate - On the Amendment S.Amdt. 1118 to H.R. 2 (Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015) (Y: 11 N: 89 NV: 0 Abs: 0) [FAIL]
2015-04-14 - Senate - On the Motion (Motion to Waive Applicable Budgetary Discipline Murray Amdt. No. 1117) (Y: 43 N: 57 NV: 0 Abs: 0) [FAIL]
2015-04-14 - Senate - On the Amendment S.Amdt. 1116 to H.R. 2 (Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015) (Y: 42 N: 58 NV: 0 Abs: 0) [FAIL]
2015-04-14 - Senate - On the Motion (Motion to Waive Applicable Budgetary Discipline Bennet Amdt. No. 1115) (Y: 50 N: 50 NV: 0 Abs: 0) [FAIL]
2015-04-14 - Senate - On the Amendment S.Amdt. 1114 to H.R. 2 (Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015) (Y: 54 N: 45 NV: 1 Abs: 0) [FAIL]
2015-03-26 - House - On Passage (Y: 392 N: 37 NV: 4 Abs: 0) [PASS]
House - On Agreeing to the Resolution (Y: 402 N: 12 NV: 18 Abs: 0) [PASS]

History

DateChamberAction
2015-04-16SenateBecame Public Law No: 114-10. (TXT | PDF)
2015-04-16SenateSigned by President.
2015-04-16SenatePresented to President.
2015-04-15SenateMessage on Senate action sent to the House.
2015-04-14SenatePassed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 92 - 8. Record Vote Number: 144.
2015-04-14SenateMotion to waive all applicable budgetary discipline with respect to the measure agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 71 - 29. Record Vote Number: 143. (consideration: CR S2161)
2015-04-14SenatePoint of order that the measure violates the CBA raised in Senate.
2015-04-14SenateS.Amdt.1119 Amendment SA 1119 ruled out of order by the chair.
2015-04-14SenateS.Amdt.1119 Motion to waive all applicable budgetary discipline with respect to amendment SA 1119 rejected in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 58 - 42. Record Vote Number: 142. (consideration: CR S2160)
2015-04-14SenateS.Amdt.1119 Point of order that the amendment violates the CBA raised in Senate with respect to amendment SA 1119.
2015-04-14SenateS.Amdt.1119 Amendment SA 1119 proposed by Senator Cardin. (consideration: CR S2160)
2015-04-14SenateS.Amdt.1118 Amendment SA 1118 not agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay. 11 - 89. Record Vote Number: 141.
2015-04-14SenateS.Amdt.1118 Amendment SA 1118 proposed by Senator Cotton. (consideration: CR S2159; text: CR S2159)
2015-04-14SenateS.Amdt.1117 Amendment SA 1117 ruled out of order by the chair.
2015-04-14SenateS.Amdt.1117 Motion to waive all applicable budgetary discipline with respect to amendment SA 1117 rejected in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 43 - 57. Record Vote Number: 140. (consideration: CR S2159)
2015-04-14SenateS.Amdt.1117 Point of order that the amendment violates the CBA raised in Senate with respect to amendment SA 1117.
2015-04-14SenateS.Amdt.1117 Amendment SA 1117 proposed by Senator Murray. (consideration: CR S2158-2159)
2015-04-14SenateS.Amdt.1116 Amendment SA 1116 not agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 42 - 58. Record Vote Number: 139.
2015-04-14SenateS.Amdt.1116 Amendment SA 1116 proposed by Senator Lee. (consideration: CR S2158; text: CR S2158)
2015-04-14SenateS.Amdt.1115 Amendment SA 1115 ruled out of order by the chair.
2015-04-14SenateS.Amdt.1115 Motion to waive all applicable budgetary discipline with respect to amendment SA 1115 rejected in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 50 - 50. Record Vote Number: 138. (consideration: CR S2158)
2015-04-14SenateS.Amdt.1115 Point of order that the amendment violates the CBA raised in Senate with respect to amendment SA 1115.
2015-04-14SenateS.Amdt.1115 Amendment SA 1115 proposed by Senator Bennet. (consideration: CR S2157-2158)
2015-04-14SenateS.Amdt.1114 Amendment SA 1114, not having achieved 60 votes in the affirmative, was not agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 54 - 45. Record Vote Number: 137.
2015-04-14SenateS.Amdt.1114 Amendment SA 1114 proposed by Senator Cornyn. (consideration: CR S2156-2157; text: CR S2156)
2015-04-14SenateMeasure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S2156-2161)
2015-03-26SenateReceived in the Senate, read twice.
2015-03-26HouseMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2015-03-26HouseOn passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 392 - 37 (Roll no. 144). (text: CR H2045-2070)
2015-03-26HouseThe previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H2083)
2015-03-26HouseDEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 2.
2015-03-26HouseRule provides for consideration of H.R. 2 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments.
2015-03-26HouseConsidered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 173. (consideration: CR H2045-2083)
2015-03-26HouseRule H. Res. 173 passed House.
2015-03-25HouseRules Committee Resolution H. Res. 173 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments.
2015-03-25HouseReferred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
2015-03-24HouseReferred to the Subcommittee on Health.
2015-03-24HouseReferred to House Budget
2015-03-24HouseReferred to House Natural Resources
2015-03-24HouseReferred to House Agriculture
2015-03-24HouseReferred to House Judiciary
2015-03-24HouseReferred to House Ways and Means
2015-03-24HouseReferred to House Energy and Commerce
2015-03-24HouseReferred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, the Judiciary, Agriculture, Natural Resources, and the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2015-03-24HouseIntroduced in House

Same As/Similar To

HR173 (Related) 2015-03-26 - On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 402 - 12, 5 Present (Roll no. 143). (text: CR H2038-2039)
HB284 (Related) 2015-03-17 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
HB289 (Related) 2015-01-22 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
HB380 (Related) 2015-02-27 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
HB663 (Related) 2015-02-12 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
HB804 (Related) 2015-02-27 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
HB1021 (Related) 2015-03-19 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
HB1372 (Related) 2015-03-20 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
HB1470 (Related) 2015-03-31 - Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
SB148 (Related) 2015-01-12 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
SB332 (Related) 2015-02-02 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
SB810 (Related) 2015-03-19 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Subjects

Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Advisory bodies
Alternative treatments
Border security and unlawful immigration
Child health
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Crime prevention
Department of Health and Human Services
Digestive and metabolic diseases
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employment and training programs
Family planning and birth control
Forests, forestry, trees
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Government trust funds
Health
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health facilities and institutions
Health information and medical records
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Health technology, devices, supplies
Home and outpatient care
Hospital care
Intergovernmental relations
Land use and conservation
Licensing and registrations
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Medicaid
Medical education
Medical research
Medicare
Minority health
Musculoskeletal and skin diseases
Neurological disorders
Performance measurement
Poverty and welfare assistance
Prescription drugs
Public contracts and procurement
Right of privacy
Rural conditions and development
Sex and reproductive health
State and local finance
State and local taxation
Surgery and anesthesia
Teenage pregnancy
Tennessee
User charges and fees
Vocational and technical education
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection
Women's health

US Congress State Sources

TypeSource
Summaryhttps://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/2/all-info
Texthttps://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hr2/BILLS-114hr2ih.pdf
Texthttps://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hr2/BILLS-114hr2eh.pdf
Texthttps://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hr2/BILLS-114hr2enr.pdf
Roll Callhttps://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2015144
Roll Callhttps://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1141/vote_114_1_00137.htm
Roll Callhttps://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1141/vote_114_1_00138.htm
Roll Callhttps://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1141/vote_114_1_00139.htm
Roll Callhttps://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1141/vote_114_1_00140.htm
Roll Callhttps://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1141/vote_114_1_00141.htm
Roll Callhttps://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1141/vote_114_1_00142.htm
Roll Callhttps://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1141/vote_114_1_00143.htm
Roll Callhttps://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1141/vote_114_1_00144.htm
Roll Callhttps://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2015143

Bill Comments

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