Stand Strong for Medicare Act

Key Points

• This bill would add fall prevention items to the list of durable medical equipment covered by Medicare. Covered items include grab bars, non-slip mats, shower chairs, and bed rails, plus anything else the Secretary of Health and Human Services decides to add later.
• To get these items covered, a doctor or other qualified healthcare provider must write an order for them. Without that order, Medicare will not pay for the items.
• The bill shields payments for fall prevention items from automatic budget cuts known as sequestration. This means funding for these items would be protected even during across-the-board government spending reductions.
• If signed into law, the new coverage would kick in just 60 days after enactment, giving Medicare a short window to begin processing claims for these items.
• Falls are the leading cause of injury among older adults in the U.S. By covering low-cost safety equipment, this bill aims to prevent costly hospitalizations and long-term care needs that result from fall injuries.

Votes

No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.