S. 4605 — Introduced in Senate

II 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 4605 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 25, 2022Ms. Stabenow (for herself and Ms. Collins) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to ensure stability in payments to home health agencies under the Medicare program. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Preserving Access to Home Health Act of 2022. 2. Ensuring stability in payments to home health agencies (a) Limitation on permanent and temporary adjustments Section 1895(b)(3)(D) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395fff(b)(3)(D)) is amended— (1) in each of clauses (ii) and (iii), by striking The Secretary shall and inserting Subject to clause (iv), the Secretary shall; and (2) by adding at the end the following new clause: (iv) Special rules for decreases in payments (I) Postponement No permanent decrease to the standard prospective payment amount (or amounts) for a year under clause (ii) and no temporary decrease to the payment amount for a unit of home health services for a year under clause (iii) shall be made prior to 2026. (II) Sunset Subject to subclause (I), the Secretary shall ensure that all necessary permanent or temporary decreases described in subclause (I) are made prior to 2032. . (b) Implementation Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may implement the provisions of, and the amendments made by, this section by program instruction or otherwise.