119-S2831

Bill is currently in: Senate
Path to Law
House Senate President

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 2831

1. Short title
2. Providing coverage for certain fall prevention items under the Medicare program

1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the "Stand Strong for Medicare Act".

2. Providing coverage for certain fall prevention items under the Medicare program

(a) In general

(1) Coverage - Section 1861 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x) is amended—

(A) - in subsection (n)—

(i) - by striking "and wheelchairs" and inserting "wheelchairs"; and

(ii) - by inserting ", and fall prevention items (as defined in subsection (nnn))" after "may prescribe)"; and

(B) Fall prevention items - by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(nnn) Fall prevention items - The term "fall prevention items" includes grab bars, non-slip mats, shower chairs, bed rails, and such other items or categories of items as the Secretary may specify.

(2) Exclusion modification - Section 1862(a)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395y(a)(1)) is amended—

(A) - in subparagraph (O), by striking "and" at the end;

(B) - in subparagraph (P), by striking the semicolon and inserting ", and"; and

(C) - by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(Q) - in the case of fall prevention items (as defined in section 1861(nnn)), which are not furnished pursuant to an order of a physician or practitioner (as described in section 1842(b)(18)(C));

(b) Exemption from sequestration - Notwithstanding any other provision of law, payments for fall prevention items (as defined in section 1861(nnn) of the Social Security Act, as added by subsection (a)) under the Medicare program shall not be subject to any reduction under a sequestration issued under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, or any other provision law.

(c) Effective date - The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply beginning 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.