H.R. 5536 — Introduced in House

I 117th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 5536 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES October 8, 2021Mr. Rush (for himself and Mr. Smith of Missouri) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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 A BILL To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to revise certain payment rules for outpatient physical therapy and outpatient occupational therapy furnished in rural areas and medically underserved areas, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Stabilizing Medicare Access to Rehabilitation and Therapy Act or the SMART Act. 2. Revisions to outpatient physical therapy and outpatient occupational therapy (a) Preclusion of application to services furnished in rural areas and medically underserved areas Section 1834(v)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(v)(1)) is amended— (1) by striking January 1, 2022 and inserting January 1, 2023; and (2) by inserting apply to services furnished in a rural area (as defined in section 1886(d)(2)(D) or a medically underserved area (as designated pursuant to section 330(b)(3)(A) of the Public Health Service Act) or before change applicable requirements. (b) Limitation of supervision requirements Section 1861(p) of the Social Security Act, in the first sentence of the flush left matter at the end, is amended by inserting , but in no case may those conditions impose a supervision requirement that exceed any such requirement under State law after as the Secretary may find necessary.