I
106TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 4016
To direct the Medicare Payment Advisory Committee to conduct a study
on reimbursement rates for physicians under the medicare program for
diagnosis, treatment, and management of Alzheimer’s disease.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MARCH 16, 2000
Mr. MARKEY (for himself and Mr. SMITH of New Jersey) introduced the fol-
lowing bill; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, and in
addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subse-
quently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To direct the Medicare Payment Advisory Committee to con-
duct a study on reimbursement rates for physicians
under the medicare program for diagnosis, treatment,
and management of Alzheimer’s disease.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. MEDPAC STUDY ON MEDICARE PHYSICIAN RE-
IMBURSEMENT RATES FOR ALZHEIMER’S DIS-
EASE.
(a) STUDY.—The Medicare Payment Advisory Com-
mission, established under section 1805 of the Social Se-
curity Act (42 U.S.C. 1395b–6), shall conduct a study of
reimbursement rates under the medicare program (under
title XVIII of that Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.)) to physi-
cians for Alzheimer services, including a determination of
the adequacy of such reimbursement rates. The study
shall include the following analyses:
(1) 
COMPREHENSIVE
CLINICAL
ASSESS-
MENTS.—An analysis of whether payment policy
under the medicare program for Alzheimer services
encourages or discourages physicians to conduct
comprehensive clinical assessments for medicare
beneficiaries who exhibit symptoms of possible de-
mentia.
(2) 
CLINICAL
PRACTICE
GUIDELINES.—An
analysis of whether payment policy under the medi-
care program encourages or discourages physicians
to provide diagnostic and management services for
Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia as speci-
fied in generally accepted clinical practice guidelines
and protocols.
(3) ONGOING PHYSICIAN CONSULTATION.—An
analysis of whether payment policy under the medi-
care program for Alzheimer services encourages or
discourages ongoing physician consultation with the
medicare beneficiary’s caregivers, as specified in
generally accepted diagnosis and practice guidelines.
(4) CAREER CHOICE.—An analysis of whether
payment rates under the medicare program for phy-
sicians encourages or discourages physicians from
choosing a career with a speciality in the treatment
and management of Alzheimer’s disease and related
dementia.
(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section:
(1) The term ‘‘Alzheimer services’’ means the
evaluation, diagnosis, and management of a medi-
care beneficiary with Alzheimer’s disease or a related
dementia, including ongoing consultation between
the physician and caregivers of the beneficiary, con-
sistent with generally accepted diagnosis and prac-
tice guidelines.
(2) The term ‘‘medicare beneficiary’’ means an
individual entitled to benefits under title XVIII of
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.).
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Medicare Payment Advi-
sory Commission shall submit to Congress a report on the
results of the study conducted under this section, together
with any recommendations for legislation that the Com-
mission determines to be appropriate as a result of such
study.
Æ