Supporting Health Care Providers During the COVID–19 Pandemic Act

To provide for certain Medicare program extensions, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Supporting Health Care Providers During the COVID–19 Pandemic Act 2. Adjustments to Medicare sequestration reductions (a) Extension of temporary suspension through March 2022 (1) In general Section 3709(a) of division A of the CARES Act ( 2 U.S.C. 901a (A) in the subsection header by inserting and adjustment suspension (B) by striking December 31, 2021 March 31, 2022 (2) Effective date The amendments made by paragraph (1) shall take effect as if enacted as part of the CARES Act ( Public Law 116–136 (b) Adjustments to Medicare program sequestration reduction with respect to fiscal years 2022 and 2030 Section 251A(6) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 ( 2 U.S.C. 901a(6) (1) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (E); and (2) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following new subparagraphs: (C) Notwithstanding the 2 percent limit specified in subparagraph (A) for payments for the Medicare programs specified in section 256(d), the sequestration order of the President under such subparagraph for fiscal year 2022 shall be applied to such payments so that with respect to the period beginning on April 1, 2022, and ending on June 30, 2022, the payment reduction shall be 1.0 percent. (D) Notwithstanding the 2 percent limit specified in subparagraph (A) for payments for the Medicare programs specified in section 256(d), the sequestration order of the President under such subparagraph for fiscal year 2030 shall be applied to such payments so that— (i) with respect to the first 6 months in which such order is effective for such fiscal year, the payment reduction shall be 2.25 percent; and (ii) with respect to the second 6 months in which such order is so effective for such fiscal year, the payment reduction shall be 3 percent. . 3. Extension of support for physicians and other professionals in adjusting to Medicare payment changes (a) In general Section 1848 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–4 (1) in subsection (c)(2)(B)(iv)(V), by striking 2021 2021 or 2022 (2) in subsection (t)— (A) in the subsection header, by striking 2021 2021 and 2022 (B) in paragraph (1)— (i) by striking during 2021 during 2021 and 2022 (ii) by striking for such services furnished on or after January 1, 2021, and before January 1, 2022, by 3.75 percent. for— (A) such services furnished on or after January 1, 2021, and before January 1, 2022, by 3.75 percent; and (B) such services furnished on or after January 1, 2022, and before January 1, 2023, by 3.0 percent. ; and (C) in paragraph (2)(C)— (i) in the subparagraph header, by striking 2021 2021 and 2022 (ii) by inserting for services furnished in 2021 or 2022 under this subsection (iii) by inserting or 2022, respectively (b) Report Section 101(c) of division N of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 ( Public Law 116–260 (1) in the first sentence— (A) by striking April 1, 2022 each of April 1, 2022, and April 1, 2023 (B) by striking , as added by subsection (a) furnished during 2021 or 2022, respectively (2) in the second sentence— (A) by striking Such report Each such report (B) by inserting with respect to 2021 or 2022, as applicable under such section 4. Preserving patient access to critical clinical lab services (a) Revised phase-In of reductions from private payor rate implementation Section 1834A(b)(3) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m–1(b)(3) (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking through 2024 through 2025 (2) in subparagraph (B)— (A) in clause (ii), by striking for 2021 for each of 2021 and 2022 (B) in clause (iii), by striking 2022 through 2024 2023 through 2025 (b) Revised Reporting Period for Reporting of Private Sector Payment Rates for Establishment of Medicare Payment Rates Section 1834A(a)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m–1(a)(1)(B) (1) in clause (i), by striking December 31, 2021 December 31, 2022 (2) in clause (ii)— (A) by striking January 1, 2022 January 1, 2023 (B) by striking March 31, 2022 March 31, 2023 5. Delay to the implementation of the radiation oncology model under the Medicare program Section 133 of Division CC of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 ( Public Law 116–260 January 1, 2022 January 1, 2023 6. Medicare Improvement Fund Section 1898(b)(1) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395iii(b)(1) fiscal year 2021 fiscal year 2021, $101,000,000.

Summary: Supporting Health Care Providers During the COVID-19 Pandemic Act This bill makes several budgetary and technical changes in relation to Medicare. Specifically, the bill continues to exempt Medicare from sequestration until March 31, 2022. (Sequestration is a process of automatic, usually across-the-board spending reductions under which budgetary resources are permanently cancelled to enforce specific budget policy goals.) The bill also temporarily extends other provisions under Medicare, including a payment increase under the physician fee schedule.