Summary

Expands Medicare to cover acupuncturist services when furnished by practitioners who meet defined qualifications. It creates standard definitions for “qualified acupuncturist services” and “qualified acupuncturist,” so Medicare can recognize and pay for this care. Updates Medicare’s billing and payment rules to process these claims under existing systems. Coverage begins for services provided 270 days after the law takes effect.

Key Points

• Medicare will cover acupuncturist services when delivered by qualified practitioners.
• Creates clear definitions for “qualified acupuncturist services” and “qualified acupuncturist.”
• Updates Medicare billing and payment rules so claims can be processed under existing systems.
• Coverage starts for services provided 270 days after the bill becomes law.
• Only practitioners who meet the qualifications will be able to bill Medicare for these services.
• Medicare administrators will need to update codes, enrollment, and guidance to implement the change.

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