Medicare Home Health Flexibility Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-6404
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Boustany, Charles W., Jr. [R-LA-3]
Introduced: 2016-11-30
Policy area: Health
Latest action: action_date: 2016-11-30
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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.

Summaries:
action_date: 2016-11-30
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Medicare Home Health Flexibility Act of 2016</strong></p> <p>This bill&nbsp;establishes circumstances under which an&nbsp;occupational therapist&nbsp;may conduct the initial assessment visit for an individual who is eligible for home health services under Medicare. Specifically, an occupational therapist may conduct the assessment if the physician's referral order does not include skilled nursing care but does include: (1) occupational therapy, and (2) physical therapy or speech language pathology.</p>

tv_txt: I 114th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6404 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES November 30, 2016 Mr. Boustany (for himself and Mr. Doggett ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means , and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce , 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 A BILL To permit occupational therapists to conduct the initial assessment visit under a Medicare home health plan of care for certain rehabilitation cases.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Medicare Home Health Flexibility Act of 2016 . 2. Permitting occupational therapists to conduct the initial assessment visit under a Medicare home health plan of care for certain rehabilitation cases (a) In general Notwithstanding section 484.55(a)(2) of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations, or any other provision of law, an occupational therapist may conduct the initial assessment visit for an individual who is eligible for home health services under title XVIII of the Social Security Act if the referral order by the physician— (1) does not include skilled nursing care; (2) includes occupation therapy; and (3) includes physical therapy or speech language pathology. (b) Rule of construction Nothing in subsection (a) shall be construed to provide for initial eligibility for coverage of home health services under title XVIII of the Social Security Act solely on the basis of a need for occupational therapy.