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[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1680 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

112th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 1680

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to protect and preserve 
    access of Medicare beneficiaries in rural areas to health care 
     providers under the Medicare program, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            October 11, 2011

  Mr. Conrad (for himself, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Harkin, and Mr. Barrasso) 
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 protect and preserve 
    access of Medicare beneficiaries in rural areas to health care 
     providers under the Medicare program, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Craig Thomas Rural 
Hospital and Provider Equity Act of 2011''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Sense of the Senate.
Sec. 3. Fairness in the Medicare disproportionate share hospital (DSH) 
                            adjustment for rural hospitals.
Sec. 4. Extension and expansion of the Medicare hold harmless provision 
                            under the prospective payment system for 
                            hospital outpatient department (HOPD) 
                            services for certain hospitals.
Sec. 5. Temporary improvements to the Medicare inpatient hospital 
                            payment adjustment for low-volume 
                            hospitals.
Sec. 6. Extension of Medicare wage index reclassifications for certain 
                            hospitals.
Sec. 7. Extension of Medicare reasonable costs payments for certain 
                            clinical diagnostic laboratory tests 
                            furnished to hospital patients in certain 
                            rural areas.
Sec. 8. Elimination of isolation test for cost-based ambulance 
                            reimbursement for critical access 
                            hospitals.
Sec. 9. Capital infrastructure revolving loan program.
Sec. 10. Extension of Medicare incentive payment program for physician 
                            scarcity areas.
Sec. 11. Extension of floor on Medicare work geographic adjustment.
Sec. 12. Recognition of attending physician assistants as attending 
                            physicians To serve hospice patients.
Sec. 13. Improving care planning for Medicare home health services.
Sec. 14. Rural health clinic improvements.
Sec. 15. Temporary Medicare payment increase for home health services 
                            furnished in a rural area.
Sec. 16. Extension of increased Medicare payments for rural ground 
                            ambulance services.
Sec. 17. Coverage of marriage and family therapist services and mental 
                            health counselor services under Part B of 
                            the Medicare program.
Sec. 18. Extension of payment for technical component of certain 
                            physician pathology services.
Sec. 19. Facilitating the provision of telehealth services across State 
                            lines.
Sec. 20. Medicare Part A payment for anesthesiologist services in 
                            certain rural hospitals based on CRNA pass-
                            through rules.
Sec. 21. Temporary floor on the practice expense geographic index for 
                            services furnished in rural areas outside 
                            of frontier States under the Medicare 
                            physician fee schedule.
Sec. 22. Revisions to standard for designation of sole community 
                            hospitals.
Sec. 23. Medicare pass-through payments for CRNA services.
Sec. 24. State offices of rural health.

SEC. 2. SENSE OF THE SENATE.

    It is the sense of the Senate that--
            (1) residents of rural and frontier communities should have 
        access to affordable, quality health care;
            (2) rural and frontier communities face unique challenges 
        in health care delivery and financing;
            (3) Federal health policy must reflect the unique needs of 
        residents of rural and frontier communities and such 
        communities in an equitable and sustainable manner; and
            (4) stakeholders should work collectively to identify 
        innovative policies that address the availability, delivery, 
        and affordability of health care services in rural and frontier 
        communities.

SEC. 3. FAIRNESS IN THE MEDICARE DISPROPORTIONATE SHARE HOSPITAL (DSH) 
              ADJUSTMENT FOR RURAL HOSPITALS.

    Section 1886(d)(5)(F)(xiv)(II) of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 1395ww(d)(5)(F)(xiv)(II)) is amended by adding at the end the 
following new sentence: ``The preceding sentence shall not apply to any 
hospital with respect to discharges occurring on or after October 1, 
2011, and before October 1, 2012.''.

SEC. 4. EXTENSION AND EXPANSION OF THE MEDICARE HOLD HARMLESS PROVISION 
              UNDER THE PROSPECTIVE PAYMENT SYSTEM FOR HOSPITAL 
              OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT (HOPD) SERVICES FOR CERTAIN 
              HOSPITALS.

    Section 1833(t)(7)(D)(i) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
1395l(t)(7)(D)(i)) is amended--
            (1) in subclause (II)--
                    (A) in the first sentence, by striking ``2012'' and 
                inserting ``2013''; and
                    (B) in the second sentence--
                            (i) by striking ``and 85'' and inserting 
                        ``85''; and
                            (ii) by inserting the following before the 
                        period at the end: ``, and 100 percent with 
                        respect to such services furnished in 2012''; 
                        and
            (2) in subclause (III)--
                    (A) in the first sentence--
                            (i) by striking ``before January'' and all 
                        that follows through ``for which'' and 
                        inserting ``before January 1, 2013, for 
                        which''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``85 percent'' and 
                        inserting ``the applicable percentage (as 
                        determined under the second sentence of 
                        subclause (II) for the year)''; and
                    (B) in the second sentence, by striking ``before 
                January'' and all that follows through ``the 
                preceding'' and inserting ``before January 1, 2013, the 
                preceding''.

SEC. 5. TEMPORARY IMPROVEMENTS TO THE MEDICARE INPATIENT HOSPITAL 
              PAYMENT ADJUSTMENT FOR LOW-VOLUME HOSPITALS.

    Section 1886(d)(12) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
1395ww(d)(12)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (C)(i), by inserting ``and 2,000 
        discharges, respectively,'' after ``1,600 discharges''; and
            (2) in subparagraph (D)--
                    (A) by striking ``1,600'' and inserting ``the 
                applicable number''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following new 
                sentence: ``For purposes of the preceding sentence, the 
                term `applicable number of discharges' means 1,600 
                discharges with respect to discharges occurring in 
                fiscal year 2011 and 2,000 discharges with respect to 
                discharges occurring in fiscal year 2012''.

SEC. 6. EXTENSION OF MEDICARE WAGE INDEX RECLASSIFICATIONS FOR CERTAIN 
              HOSPITALS.

    (a) Extension of Correction of Mid-Year Reclassification Expiration 
for Certain Hospitals.--
            (1) In general.--In the case of a hospital described in 
        paragraph (2), the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall 
        apply subsection (a) of section 106 of division B of the Tax 
        Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 (42 U.S.C. 1395ww note), as 
        amended by section 117 of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP 
        Extension Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-173), section 124 of the 
        Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 
        (Public Law 110-275), sections 3137(a) and 10317 of the Patient 
        Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148), and 
        section 102 of the Medicare and Medicaid Extenders Act of 2010 
        (Public Law 111-309), by substituting ``September 30, 2012'' 
        for ``September 30, 2011''.
            (2) Hospital described.--A hospital described in this 
        paragraph is--
                    (A) a hospital--
                            (i) that is described in subsection (a) of 
                        such section 106; and
                            (ii)(I) that is located in a rural area; 
                        and
                            (II) for which the Secretary of Health and 
                        Human Services has determined the extension 
                        under this subsection to be appropriate; or
                    (B) a sole community hospital located in a State 
                with less than 10 people per square mile that was 
                provided with a special exception reclassification 
                extension under section 117(a)(2) of the Medicare, 
                Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 (Public Law 
                110-173).
    (b) Not Budget Neutral.--The provisions of this section shall not 
be effected in a budget-neutral manner.

SEC. 7. EXTENSION OF MEDICARE REASONABLE COSTS PAYMENTS FOR CERTAIN 
              CLINICAL DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY TESTS FURNISHED TO 
              HOSPITAL PATIENTS IN CERTAIN RURAL AREAS.

    Section 416(b) of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and 
Modernization Act of 2003 (42 U.S.C. 1395l-4), as amended by section 
105 of division B of the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 (42 
U.S.C. 1395l note), section 107 of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP 
Extension Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 1395l note), section 3122 of the 
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148), and 
section 109 of the Medicare and Medicaid Extenders Act of 2010 (Public 
Law 111-309), is amended by striking ``the 2-year period beginning on 
July 1, 2010'' and inserting ``the 30-month period beginning on July 1, 
2010''.

SEC. 8. ELIMINATION OF ISOLATION TEST FOR COST-BASED AMBULANCE 
              REIMBURSEMENT FOR CRITICAL ACCESS HOSPITALS.

    (a) In General.--Section 1834(l)(8) of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 1395m(l)(8)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (B)--
                    (A) by striking ``owned and''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``(including when such services 
                are provided by the entity under an arrangement with 
                the hospital)'' after ``hospital''; and
            (2) by striking the comma at the end of subparagraph (B) 
        and all that follows and inserting a period.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 2012.

SEC. 9. CAPITAL INFRASTRUCTURE REVOLVING LOAN PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Part A of title XVI of the Public Health Service 
Act (42 U.S.C. 300q et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the 
following new section:

            ``capital infrastructure revolving loan program

    ``Sec. 1603.  (a) Authority To Make and Guarantee Loans.--
            ``(1) Authority to make loans.--The Secretary may make 
        loans from the fund established under section 1602(d) to any 
        rural entity for projects for capital improvements, including--
                    ``(A) the acquisition of land necessary for the 
                capital improvements;
                    ``(B) the renovation or modernization of any 
                building;
                    ``(C) the acquisition or repair of fixed or major 
                movable equipment; and
                    ``(D) such other project expenses as the Secretary 
                determines appropriate.
            ``(2) Authority to guarantee loans.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary may guarantee the 
                payment of principal and interest for loans made to 
                rural entities for projects for any capital improvement 
                described in paragraph (1) to any non-Federal lender.
                    ``(B) Interest subsidies.--In the case of a 
                guarantee of any loan made to a rural entity under 
                subparagraph (A), the Secretary may pay to the holder 
                of such loan, for and on behalf of the project for 
                which the loan was made, amounts sufficient to reduce 
                (by not more than 3 percent) the net effective interest 
                rate otherwise payable on such loan.
    ``(b) Amount of Loan.--The principal amount of a loan directly made 
or guaranteed under subsection (a) for a project for capital 
improvement may not exceed $5,000,000.
    ``(c) Funding Limitations.--
            ``(1) Government credit subsidy exposure.--The total of the 
        Government credit subsidy exposure under the Credit Reform Act 
        of 1990 scoring protocol with respect to the loans outstanding 
        at any time with respect to which guarantees have been issued, 
        or which have been directly made, under subsection (a) may not 
        exceed $50,000,000 per year.
            ``(2) Total amounts.--Subject to paragraph (1), the total 
        of the principal amount of all loans directly made or 
        guaranteed under subsection (a) may not exceed $250,000,000 per 
        year.
    ``(d) Capital Assessment and Planning Grants.--
            ``(1) Nonrepayable grants.--Subject to paragraph (2), the 
        Secretary may make a grant to a rural entity, in an amount not 
        to exceed $50,000, for purposes of capital assessment and 
        business planning.
            ``(2) Limitation.--The cumulative total of grants awarded 
        under this subsection may not exceed $2,500,000 per year.
    ``(e) Termination of Authority.--The Secretary may not directly 
make or guarantee any loan under subsection (a) or make a grant under 
subsection (d) after December 31, 2012.''.
    (b) Rural Entity Defined.--Section 1624 of the Public Health 
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300s-3) is amended by adding at the end the 
following new paragraph:
            ``(15)(A) The term `rural entity' includes--
                    ``(i) a rural health clinic, as defined in section 
                1861(aa)(2) of the Social Security Act;
                    ``(ii) any medical facility with at least 1 bed, 
                but with less than 50 beds, that is located in--
                            ``(I) a county that is not part of a 
                        metropolitan statistical area; or
                            ``(II) a rural census tract of a 
                        metropolitan statistical area (as determined 
                        under the most recent modification of the 
                        Goldsmith Modification, originally published in 
                        the Federal Register on February 27, 1992 (57 
                        Fed. Reg. 6725));
                    ``(iii) a hospital that is classified as a rural, 
                regional, or national referral center under section 
                1886(d)(5)(C) of the Social Security Act; and
                    ``(iv) a hospital that is a sole community hospital 
                (as defined in section 1886(d)(5)(D)(iii) of the Social 
                Security Act).
            ``(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), the fact that a 
        clinic, facility, or hospital has been geographically 
        reclassified under the Medicare program under title XVIII of 
        the Social Security Act shall not preclude a hospital from 
        being considered a rural entity under clause (i) or (ii) of 
        subparagraph (A).''.
    (c) Conforming Amendments.--Section 1602 of the Public Health 
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300q-2) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(2)(D), by inserting ``or 
        1603(a)(2)(B)'' after ``1601(a)(2)(B)''; and
            (2) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)(C), by striking ``section 
                1601(a)(2)(B)'' and inserting ``sections 1601(a)(2)(B) 
                and 1603(a)(2)(B)''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting ``or 
                1603(a)(2)(B)'' after ``1601(a)(2)(B)''.

SEC. 10. EXTENSION OF MEDICARE INCENTIVE PAYMENT PROGRAM FOR PHYSICIAN 
              SCARCITY AREAS.

    Section 1833(u)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
1395l(u)(1)) is amended by inserting ``, and such services furnished on 
or after January 1, 2012, and before January 1, 2013'' after ``2008''.

SEC. 11. EXTENSION OF FLOOR ON MEDICARE WORK GEOGRAPHIC ADJUSTMENT.

    Section 1848(e)(1)(E) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-
4(e)(1)(E)) is amended by striking ``before January 1, 2012'' and 
inserting ``before January 1, 2013''.

SEC. 12. RECOGNITION OF ATTENDING PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS AS ATTENDING 
              PHYSICIANS TO SERVE HOSPICE PATIENTS.

    (a) In General.--Section 1861(dd)(3)(B) of the Social Security Act 
(42 U.S.C. 1395x(dd)(3)(B)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``or nurse practitioner'' and inserting ``, 
        the nurse practitioner''; and
            (2) by inserting ``, or the physician assistant (as defined 
        in such subsection)'' after ``subsection (aa)(5))''.
    (b) Permitting Physician Assistants When Delegated by a Physician 
To Order Hospice Care.--Section 1814(a)(7)(A) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
1395f(a)(7)(A)) is amended--
            (1) in clause (i)(I), by inserting ``or a physician 
        assistant as delegated by such attending physician'' after 
        ``nurse practitioner)''; and
            (2) in clause (ii), by inserting ``or physician assistant 
        described in clause (i)(I)'' after ``clause (i)(II)''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2012.

SEC. 13. IMPROVING CARE PLANNING FOR MEDICARE HOME HEALTH SERVICES.

    (a) Part A Provisions.--Section 1814(a) of the Social Security Act 
(42 U.S.C. 1395f(a)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
                inserting ``, a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse 
                specialist who is working in collaboration with a 
                physician in accordance with State law, a certified 
                nurse-midwife (as defined in section 1861(gg)) as 
                authorized by State law, or a physician assistant (as 
                defined in section 1861(aa)(5)) under the supervision 
                of a physician'' after ``1866(j)''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (C)--
                            (i) by inserting ``, a nurse practitioner, 
                        a clinical nurse specialist, a certified nurse-
                        midwife, or a physician assistant (as the case 
                        may be)'' after ``physician'' the first 2 times 
                        it appears; and
                            (ii) by striking ``, and, in the case of a 
                        certification made by a physician'' and all 
                        that follows through ``face-to-face encounter'' 
                        and inserting ``, and, in the case of a 
                        certification made by a physician after January 
                        1, 2010, or by a nurse practitioner, clinical 
                        nurse specialist, certified nurse-midwife, or 
                        physician assistant (as the case may be) after 
                        January 1, 2012, prior to making such 
                        certification the physician, nurse 
                        practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, 
                        certified nurse-midwife, or physician assistant 
                        must document that the physician, nurse 
                        practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, 
                        certified nurse-midwife, or physician assistant 
                        has had a face-to-face encounter'';
            (2) in the second sentence, by inserting ``certified nurse-
        midwife,'' after ``clinical nurse specialist,'';
            (3) in the third sentence--
                    (A) by striking ``physician certification'' and 
                inserting ``certification'';
                    (B) by inserting ``(or on January 1, 2012, in the 
                case of regulations to implement the amendments made by 
                section 13 of the Craig Thomas Rural Hospital and 
                Provider Equity Act of 2011)'' after ``1981''; and
                    (C) by striking ``a physician who'' and inserting 
                ``a physician, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse 
                specialist, certified nurse-midwife, or physician 
                assistant who''; and
            (4) in the fourth sentence, by inserting ``, nurse 
        practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse-
        midwife, or physician assistant'' after ``physician''.
    (b) Part B Provisions.--Section 1835(a) of the Social Security Act 
(42 U.S.C. 1395n(a)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
                inserting ``, a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse 
                specialist (as those terms are defined in section 
                1861(aa)(5)) who is working in collaboration with a 
                physician in accordance with State law, a certified 
                nurse-midwife (as defined in section 1861(gg)) as 
                authorized by State law, or a physician assistant (as 
                defined in section 1861(aa)(5)) under the supervision 
                of a physician'' after ``1866(j)''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (A)--
                            (i) in each of clauses (ii) and (iii) of 
                        subparagraph (A) by inserting ``, a nurse 
                        practitioner, a clinical nurse specialist, a 
                        certified nurse-midwife, or a physician 
                        assistant (as the case may be)'' after 
                        ``physician''; and
                            (ii) in clause (iv), by striking ``after 
                        January 1, 2010'' and all that follows through 
                        ``face-to-face encounter'' and inserting ``made 
                        by a physician after January 1, 2010, or by a 
                        nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, 
                        certified nurse-midwife, or physician assistant 
                        (as the case may be) after January 1, 2012, 
                        prior to making such certification the 
                        physician, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse 
                        specialist, certified nurse-midwife, or 
                        physician assistant must document that the 
                        physician, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse 
                        specialist, certified nurse-midwife, or 
                        physician assistant has had a face-to-face 
                        encounter'';
            (2) in the third sentence, by inserting ``, nurse 
        practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse-
        midwife, or physician assistant (as the case may be)'' after 
        physician;
            (3) in the fourth sentence--
                    (A) by striking ``physician certification'' and 
                inserting ``certification'';
                    (B) by inserting ``(or on January 1, 2012, in the 
                case of regulations to implement the amendments made by 
                section 13 of the Craig Thomas Rural Hospital and 
                Provider Equity Act of 2011)'' after ``1981''; and
                    (C) by striking ``a physician who'' and inserting 
                ``a physician, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse 
                specialist, certified nurse-midwife, or physician 
                assistant who''; and
            (4) in the fifth sentence, by inserting ``, nurse 
        practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse-
        midwife, or physician assistant'' after ``physician''.
    (c) Definition Provisions.--
            (1) Home health services.--Section 1861(m) of the Social 
        Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(m)) is amended--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by inserting ``, a nurse practitioner 
                        or a clinical nurse specialist (as those terms 
                        are defined in subsection (aa)(5)), a certified 
                        nurse-midwife (as defined in section 1861(gg)), 
                        or a physician assistant (as defined in 
                        subsection (aa)(5))'' after ``physician'' the 
                        first place it appears; and
                            (ii) by inserting ``, a nurse practitioner, 
                        a clinical nurse specialist, a certified nurse-
                        midwife, or a physician assistant'' after 
                        ``physician'' the second place it appears; and
                    (B) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``, a nurse 
                practitioner, a clinical nurse specialist, a certified 
                nurse-midwife, or a physician assistant'' after 
                ``physician''.
            (2) Home health agency.--Section 1861(o)(2) of the Social 
        Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(o)(2)) is amended--
                    (A) by inserting ``, nurse practitioners or 
                clinical nurse specialists (as those terms are defined 
                in subsection (aa)(5)), certified nurse-midwives (as 
                defined in section 1861(gg)), or physician assistants 
                (as defined in subsection (aa)(5))'' after 
                ``physicians''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``, nurse practitioner, clinical 
                nurse specialist, certified nurse-midwife, physician 
                assistant,'' after ``physician''.
    (d) Home Health Prospective Payment System Provisions.--Section 
1895 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395fff) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (c)(1), by inserting ``, the nurse 
        practitioner or clinical nurse specialist (as those terms are 
        defined in section 1861(aa)(5)), the certified nurse-midwife 
        (as defined in section 1861(gg)), or the physician assistant 
        (as defined in section 1861(aa)(5)),'' after ``physician''; and
            (2) in subsection (e)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting ``, a nurse 
                practitioner or clinical nurse specialist (as those 
                terms are defined in section 1861(aa)(5)), a certified 
                nurse-midwife (as defined in section 1861(gg)), or a 
                physician assistant (as defined in section 
                1861(aa)(5))'' after ``physician''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) in the heading, by striking ``Physician 
                        certification'' and inserting ``Rule of 
                        construction regarding requirement for 
                        certification''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``physician''.
    (e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2012.

SEC. 14. RURAL HEALTH CLINIC IMPROVEMENTS.

    Section 1833(f) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l(f)) is 
amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``, and'' at the end and 
        inserting a semicolon;
            (2) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) by inserting ``(before 2012)'' after ``in a 
                subsequent year''; and
                    (B) by striking the period at the end and inserting 
                a semicolon; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
            ``(3) in 2012, at $101 per visit; and
            ``(4) in a subsequent year, at the limit established under 
        this subsection for the previous year increased by the 
        percentage increase in the MEI (as so defined) applicable to 
        primary care services (as so defined) furnished as of the first 
        day of that year.''.

SEC. 15. TEMPORARY MEDICARE PAYMENT INCREASE FOR HOME HEALTH SERVICES 
              FURNISHED IN A RURAL AREA.

    Section 421(a) of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and 
Modernization Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-173; 117 Stat. 2283), as 
amended by section 5201(b) of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (Public 
Law 109-171; 120 Stat. 46) and section 3131(c) of the Patient 
Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148; 124 Stat. 428), 
is amended by striking ``2016, 3 percent'' and inserting ``2011, and 
episodes and visits ending on or after January 1, 2013, and before 
January 1, 2016, 3 percent''.

SEC. 16. EXTENSION OF INCREASED MEDICARE PAYMENTS FOR RURAL GROUND 
              AMBULANCE SERVICES.

    (a) In General.--Section 1834(l)(13)(A) of the Social Security Act 
(42 U.S.C. 1395m(l)(13)(A)) is amended--
            (1) in the matter preceding clause (i)--
                    (A) by striking ``2007, and for'' and inserting 
                ``2007, for''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``, and for such services 
                described in clause (i) furnished on or after January 
                1, 2012, and before January 1, 2013'' after ``2012''; 
                and
            (2) in clause (i), by inserting ``, or 5 percent if such 
        service is furnished on or after January 1, 2012, and before 
        January 1, 2013'' after ``2012''.
    (b) Super Rural Ambulance.--Section 1834(l)(12)(A) of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(l)(12)(A)) is amended by striking 
``2012'' and inserting ``2013''.

SEC. 17. COVERAGE OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST SERVICES AND MENTAL 
              HEALTH COUNSELOR SERVICES UNDER PART B OF THE MEDICARE 
              PROGRAM.

    (a) Coverage of Services.--
            (1) In general.--Section 1861(s)(2) of the Social Security 
        Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(s)(2)) is amended--
                    (A) in subparagraph (EE), by striking ``and'' after 
                the semicolon at the end;
                    (B) in subparagraph (FF), by inserting ``and'' 
                after the semicolon at the end; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new 
                subparagraph:
            ``(GG) marriage and family therapist services (as defined 
        in subsection (iii)(1)) and mental health counselor services 
        (as defined in subsection (iii)(3));''.
            (2) Definitions.--Section 1861 of the Social Security Act 
        (42 U.S.C. 1395x) is amended by adding at the end the following 
        new subsection:

     ``Marriage and Family Therapist Services; Marriage and Family 
  Therapist; Mental Health Counselor Services; Mental Health Counselor

    ``(iii)(1) The term `marriage and family therapist services' means 
services performed by a marriage and family therapist (as defined in 
paragraph (2)) for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses, 
which the marriage and family therapist is legally authorized to 
perform under State law (or the State regulatory mechanism provided by 
State law) of the State in which such services are performed, as would 
otherwise be covered if furnished by a physician or as an incident to a 
physician's professional service, but only if no facility or other 
provider charges or is paid any amounts with respect to the furnishing 
of such services.
    ``(2) The term `marriage and family therapist' means an individual 
who--
            ``(A) possesses a master's or doctoral degree which 
        qualifies for licensure or certification as a marriage and 
        family therapist pursuant to State law;
            ``(B) after obtaining such degree has performed at least 2 
        years of clinical supervised experience in marriage and family 
        therapy; and
            ``(C) in the case of an individual performing services in a 
        State that provides for licensure or certification of marriage 
        and family therapists, is licensed or certified as a marriage 
        and family therapist in such State.
    ``(3) The term `mental health counselor services' means services 
performed by a mental health counselor (as defined in paragraph (4)) 
for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses which the mental 
health counselor is legally authorized to perform under State law (or 
the State regulatory mechanism provided by the State law) of the State 
in which such services are performed, as would otherwise be covered if 
furnished by a physician or as incident to a physician's professional 
service, but only if no facility or other provider charges or is paid 
any amounts with respect to the furnishing of such services.
    ``(4) The term `mental health counselor' means an individual who--
            ``(A) possesses a master's or doctor's degree in mental 
        health counseling or a related field;
            ``(B) after obtaining such a degree has performed at least 
        2 years of supervised mental health counselor practice; and
            ``(C) in the case of an individual performing services in a 
        State that provides for licensure or certification of mental 
        health counselors or professional counselors, is licensed or 
        certified as a mental health counselor or professional 
        counselor in such State.''.
            (3) Provision for payment under part b.--Section 
        1832(a)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
        1395k(a)(2)(B)) is amended by adding at the end the following 
        new clause:
                            ``(v) marriage and family therapist 
                        services (as defined in section 1861(iii)(1)) 
                        and mental health counselor services (as 
                        defined in section 1861(iii)(3));''.
            (4) Amount of payment.--Section 1833(a)(1) of the Social 
        Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l(a)(1)) is amended--
                    (A) by striking ``and (Z)'' and inserting ``(Z)''; 
                and
                    (B) by inserting before the semicolon at the end 
                the following: ``, and (AA) with respect to marriage 
                and family therapist services and mental health 
                counselor services under section 1861(s)(2)(GG), the 
                amounts paid shall be 80 percent of the lesser of the 
                actual charge for the services or 75 percent of the 
                amount determined for payment of a psychologist under 
                subparagraph (L)''.
            (5) Exclusion of marriage and family therapist services and 
        mental health counselor services from skilled nursing facility 
        prospective payment system.--Section 1888(e)(2)(A)(ii) of the 
        Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395yy(e)(2)(A)(ii)) is amended 
        by inserting ``marriage and family therapist services (as 
        defined in section 1861(iii)(1)), mental health counselor 
        services (as defined in section 1861(iii)(3)),'' after 
        ``qualified psychologist services,''.
            (6) Inclusion of marriage and family therapists and mental 
        health counselors as practitioners for assignment of claims.--
        Section 1842(b)(18)(C) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
        1395u(b)(18)(C)) is amended by adding at the end the following 
        new clauses:
            ``(vii) A marriage and family therapist (as defined in 
        section 1861(iii)(2)).
            ``(viii) A mental health counselor (as defined in section 
        1861(iii)(4)).''.
    (b) Coverage of Certain Mental Health Services Provided in Certain 
Settings.--
            (1) Rural health clinics and federally qualified health 
        centers.--Section 1861(aa)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act (42 
        U.S.C. 1395x(aa)(1)(B)) is amended by striking ``or by a 
        clinical social worker (as defined in subsection (hh)(1))'' and 
        inserting ``, by a clinical social worker (as defined in 
        subsection (hh)(1)), by a marriage and family therapist (as 
        defined in subsection (iii)(2)), or by a mental health 
        counselor (as defined in subsection (iii)(4))''.
            (2) Hospice programs.--Section 1861(dd)(2)(B)(i)(III) of 
        the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(dd)(2)(B)(i)(III)) is 
        amended by inserting ``, marriage and family therapist, or 
        mental health counselor'' after ``social worker''.
    (c) Authorization of Marriage and Family Therapists and Mental 
Health Counselors To Develop Discharge Plans for Post-Hospital 
Services.--Section 1861(ee)(2)(G) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
1395x(ee)(2)(G)) is amended by inserting ``, including a marriage and 
family therapist and a mental health counselor who meets qualification 
standards established by the Secretary'' before the period at the end.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply with respect to services furnished on or after January 1, 2012.

SEC. 18. EXTENSION OF PAYMENT FOR TECHNICAL COMPONENT OF CERTAIN 
              PHYSICIAN PATHOLOGY SERVICES.

    Section 542(c) of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits 
Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 (as enacted into law by section 
1(a)(6) of Public Law 106-554), as amended by section 732 of the 
Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 
(42 U.S.C. 1395w-4 note), section 104 of division B of the Tax Relief 
and Health Care Act of 2006 (42 U.S.C. 1395w-4 note), section 104 of 
the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 (Public Law 
110-173), section 136 of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and 
Providers Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-275), section 3104 of the Patient 
Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148), and section 
105 of the Medicare and Medicaid Extenders Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-
309), is amended by striking ``and 2011'' and inserting ``2011, and 
2012''.

SEC. 19. FACILITATING THE PROVISION OF TELEHEALTH SERVICES ACROSS STATE 
              LINES.

    (a) In General.--For purposes of expediting the provision of 
telehealth services, for which payment is made under the Medicare 
program, across State lines, the Secretary of Health and Human Services 
shall, in consultation with representatives of States, physicians, 
health care practitioners, and patient advocates, encourage and 
facilitate the adoption of provisions allowing for multistate 
practitioner practice across State lines.
    (b) Definitions.--In subsection (a):
            (1) Telehealth service.--The term ``telehealth service'' 
        has the meaning given that term in subparagraph (F) of section 
        1834(m)(4) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)(4)).
            (2) Physician, practitioner.--The terms ``physician'' and 
        ``practitioner'' have the meaning given those terms in 
        subparagraphs (D) and (E), respectively, of such section.
            (3) Medicare program.--The term ``Medicare program'' means 
        the program of health insurance administered by the Secretary 
        of Health and Human Services under title XVIII of the Social 
        Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.).

SEC. 20. MEDICARE PART A PAYMENT FOR ANESTHESIOLOGIST SERVICES IN 
              CERTAIN RURAL HOSPITALS BASED ON CRNA PASS-THROUGH RULES.

    (a) In General.--Section 1814 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
1395f) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

    ``Anesthesiologist Services Provided in Certain Rural Hospitals

    ``(m)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, 
coverage and payment shall be provided under this part for physicians' 
services that are anesthesia services furnished by a physician who is 
an anesthesiologist in a rural hospital described in paragraph (3) in 
the same manner as payment is made under the exception provided in 
section 9320(k) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986, as 
added by section 608(c)(2) of the Family Support Act of 1988 and 
amended by section 6132 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 
1989, (relating to payment on a reasonable cost, pass-through basis) 
for certified registered nurse anesthetist services furnished by a 
certified registered nurse anesthetist in a hospital described in such 
section 9320(k).
    ``(2) No payment shall be made under any other provision of this 
title for physicians' services for which payment is made under this 
subsection.
    ``(3) A rural hospital described in this paragraph is a hospital 
described in section 9320(k) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act 
of 1986, as so added and amended, except that--
            ``(A) any reference in such section to a `certified 
        registered nurse anesthetist' or an `anesthetist' is deemed a 
        reference to a `physician who is an anesthesiologist' or an 
        `anesthesiologist', respectively; and
            ``(B) any reference to `January 1, 1988' or `1987' is 
        deemed a reference to such date and year as the Secretary shall 
        specify.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
apply to services furnished during cost reporting periods beginning on 
or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 21. TEMPORARY FLOOR ON THE PRACTICE EXPENSE GEOGRAPHIC INDEX FOR 
              SERVICES FURNISHED IN RURAL AREAS OUTSIDE OF FRONTIER 
              STATES UNDER THE MEDICARE PHYSICIAN FEE SCHEDULE.

    Section 1848(e)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-
4(e)(1)) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraph:
                    ``(J) Floor at 1.0 on practice expense geographic 
                index for services furnished in rural areas outside of 
                frontier states.--For purposes of payment for services 
                furnished in a rural area (other than a rural area 
                located in a State to which subparagraph (I) applies) 
                on or after January 1, 2012, and before January 1, 
                2013, after calculating the practice expense index 
                under subparagraph (A)(i), the Secretary shall increase 
                any such index to 1.0 if such index would otherwise be 
                less than 1.0. The preceding sentence shall not be 
                applied in a budget neutral manner.''.

SEC. 22. REVISIONS TO STANDARD FOR DESIGNATION OF SOLE COMMUNITY 
              HOSPITALS.

    Section 1886(d)(5)(D)(iv) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
1395ww(d)(5)(D)(iv)) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
sentence: ``Under such standard, the time required for an individual to 
travel to the nearest alternative source of care shall be measured over 
improved roads maintained by a local, State, or Federal Government 
entity for use by the general public which is the most expeditious and 
accessible route as designated by law enforcement for emergency vehicle 
travel.''.

SEC. 23. MEDICARE TREATMENT OF STANDBY AND ON-CALL TIME FOR CRNA 
              SERVICES.

    (a) In General.--Section 9320(k) of the Omnibus Budget 
Reconciliation Act of 1986 (42 U.S.C. 1395k note), as added by section 
608(c)(2) of the Family Support Act of 1988 and amended by section 6132 
of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989, is amended by adding 
at the end the following:
            ``(3) In determining the reasonable costs incurred by a 
        hospital or critical access hospital for the services of a 
        certified registered nurse anesthetist under this subsection, 
        the Secretary shall include standby costs and on-call costs 
        incurred by the hospital or critical access hospital, 
        respectively, with respect to such nurse anesthetist.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
apply to costs incurred in cost reporting periods beginning in fiscal 
years after fiscal year 2003 and before fiscal year 2013.

SEC. 24. STATE OFFICES OF RURAL HEALTH.

    Section 338J(j)(1) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
254r(j)(1)) is amended by inserting ``and 2012 through 2013'' before 
the period.
                                 <all>
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