Rural Health Clinic Modernization Act of 2019

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to modernize provisions relating to rural health clinics under Medicare. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Rural Health Clinic Modernization Act of 2019 2. Modernizing physician, physician assistant, and nurse practitioner utilization requirements (a) In general Section 1861(aa) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395x(aa) (1) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking has an arrangement meets the requirements described in paragraph (8); (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (8) Requirements for certain facilities described For purposes of paragraph (2)(B), with respect to a facility which is not a physician-directed clinic, the following requirements are described in this paragraph: (A) Arrangement The facility has an arrangement consistent with the provisions of State and local law relative to the practice, performance, and delivery of health services, with one or more physician assistants (as defined in paragraph (5)(A)) or one or more nurse practitioners (as defined in such paragraph). (B) Practice and oversight requirements (i) In general Subject to clause (ii), the delivery of health services under such arrangement shall be in accordance with State law or the State regulatory mechanism governing the practice of physician assistants or nurse practitioners. (ii) Exception if no State laws or regulations applicable In the case where a State does not have laws or regulations governing the practice, performance, and delivery of health services by a physician assistant or nurse practitioner, the Secretary shall adopt regulations for facilities located in such State that provide for the periodic review by physicians of covered services furnished by physician assistants and nurse practitioners, the supervision and guidance by such physicians of physician assistants and nurse practitioners, and the preparation by such physicians of such medical orders for care and treatment of clinic patients as is necessary. Such regulations shall also require facilities located in such a State to have arrangements with physicians for referral of and consultation for patients as the facility deems necessary and for advice and assistance in the management of medical emergencies. . (b) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act. 3. Removing outdated laboratory requirements (a) In general Section 1861(aa)(2)(G) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395x(aa)(2)(G) , including clinical laboratory services additional diagnostic services and has prompt access to clinical laboratory services and additional diagnostic services (b) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act. 4. Allowing rural health clinics the flexibility to contract with physician assistants and nurse practitioners (a) In general Section 1861(aa) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395x(aa) (iii) employs a physician assistant or nurse practitioner, and (iv) and (iii) (b) Effective date The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act. 5. Allowing rural health clinics to be the distant site for a telehealth visit (a) In general Section 1834(m) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(m) (1) in the first sentence of paragraph (1)— (A) by striking or a practitioner (described in section 1842(b)(18)(C)) , a practitioner (described in section 1842(b)(18)(C)), or a rural health clinic (B) by striking or practitioner , practitioner, or rural health clinic (2) in paragraph (2)(A)— (A) by striking or practitioner practitioner, or rural health clinic (B) by striking such physician or practitioner such physician, practitioner, or rural health clinic (3) in paragraph (4)(A), by striking or practitioner practitioner, or rural health clinic (b) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall apply to services furnished on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. 6. Including facilities located in certain areas (a) In general Section 1861(aa) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395x(aa) or in an area that has been designated by the chief executive officer of the State and certified by the Secretary as rural Census) (b) Effective date The amendment made by this section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act. 7. Increasing reimbursement for rural health clinics Section 1833(f) of the Social Security Act 42 U.S.C. 1395l(f) (1) in paragraph (1), by striking , and (2) in paragraph (2)— (A) by inserting (before 2020) in a subsequent year (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 2020, at $105 per visit; (4) in 2021, at $110 per visit; (5) in 2022, at $115 per visit; and (6) 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. .

Summary: Rural Health Clinic Modernization Act of 2019 This bill makes a series of changes to criteria, requirements, and payments for rural health clinics under Medicare. Among other things, the bill (1) allows rural health clinics that are not directed by physicians to enter into arrangements with physician assistants or nurse practitioners that generally comply with state laws (regarding scope of practice), rather than other specific requirements; (2) allows rural health clinics to serve as the distant site for purposes of telehealth services; and (3) beginning in 2020, increases the maximum payment rate per visit for rural health clinics.