Better Care, Lower Cost Act

Bill: 114-hr-4878
Sponsor: Rep. Paulsen, Erik [R-MN-3]
Introduced: 2016-03-23 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Education programs funding
Health care costs and insurance
Health care quality
Health facilities and institutions
Health information and medical records
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Health technology, devices, supplies
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Medicaid
Medical education
Medical research
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Medicare
Performance measurement
Prescription drugs
Rural conditions and development
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2016-03-23
text: 

Better Care, Lower Cost Act

 
This bill amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to establish an integrated chronic care delivery program through which qualified "Better Care Programs" (BCPs) shall: (1) promote accountability and better care management for chronically ill patient populations, (2) coordinate items and services under Medicare, and (3) encourage investment in infrastructure and redesigned care processes. A health plan (including a Medicare Advantage plan) or group of providers may participate as a BCP if certified to do so by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
 
The program shall focus on containing long-term costs and improving the overall health of the Medicare population by implementing, through qualified BCPs, strategies that prevent, delay, or minimize the progression of illness or disability associated with chronic conditions.
 
With respect to a BCP enrollee who is dually eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, Medicare shall be the primary payor.
 
A Medigap policy (supplemental insurance that covers health care costs not covered by Medicare) may not provide for coverage of cost-sharing for Medicare services furnished to a BCP enrollee by a provider that is not a qualified BCP professional.
 
HHS, acting through the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, shall designate and provide core funding for at least three Chronic Care Innovation Centers. To be eligible for such designation and funding, an eligible entity must partner with other specified entities to develop new, evidence-based curricula that addresses the need for chronic care management.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-03-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2016-03-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2016-03-23
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2016-03-23
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2016-03-23
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2016-03-23
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-03-23
text: Introduced in House