H.R. 1667
119th CONGRESS 1st Session
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide coverage for acupuncturist services under the Medicare program.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · February 27, 2025 · Sponsor: Ms. Chu
Table of contents
SEC. 1. Short title
- This Act may be cited as the Acupuncture for Our Seniors Act of 2025.
SEC. 2. Coverage for acupuncturist services under the Medicare program
- (a) In general
- Section 1861 of the Social Security Act () is amended— 42 U.S.C. 1395x
- in subsection (s)(2)—
- by adding at the end of subparagraph (JJ);
and- qualified acupuncturist services (as defined in subsection (nnn)(1));
- by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
- (nnn) Qualified acupuncturist services
- (1) In general
- The term
qualified acupuncturist servicesmeans such services furnished by a qualified acupuncturist (as defined in paragraph (2)), and such services and supplies furnished as an incident to services furnished by the qualified acupuncturist, as the qualified acupuncturist is legally authorized to perform under State law.
- The term
- (2) Qualified acupuncturist defined
- For purposes of this subsection, the term
qualified acupuncturistmeans—- an individual who is licensed as an acupuncturist by a State or, in the case of an individual in a State that does not provide for such licensure, meets such criteria (such as certification through an appropriate nationally recognized certification authority for acupuncturists) as the Secretary may specify; or
- a physician who is legally authorized to perform acupuncture as part of the practice of medicine and surgery by the State in which the physician performs such function or action.
- In specifying requirements under subparagraph (A), the Secretary may use the same requirements as those established by a certification authority described in such subparagraph.
- For purposes of this subsection, the term
- (1) In general
- by adding at the end of subparagraph (JJ);
- by adding at the end the following new subsection:
- in subsection (s)(2)—
- Section 1861 of the Social Security Act () is amended— 42 U.S.C. 1395x
- (b) Payment rules
- (1) Payment under physician fee schedule
- Section 1848(j)(3) of the Social Security Act () is amended by inserting before . 42 U.S.C. 1395w–4(j)(3)
- (2) Separate payment for services of institutional providers
- Section 1833(a)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act () is amended— 42 U.S.C. 1395l(a)(2)(B)
- in clause (i), by inserting after ;
- in clause (ii), by inserting after ; and
- in clause (iii), by inserting after .
- Section 1833(a)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act () is amended— 42 U.S.C. 1395l(a)(2)(B)
- (3) Qualified acupuncturist treatment as a practitioner
- Section 1842(b)(18)(C) of the Social Security Act () is amended by adding at the end the following new clause: 42 U.S.C. 1395u(b)(18)(C)
- (ix) A qualified acupuncturist (as defined in section 1861(nnn)(2)).
- Section 1842(b)(18)(C) of the Social Security Act () is amended by adding at the end the following new clause: 42 U.S.C. 1395u(b)(18)(C)
- (4) Separate billing for acupuncturist services furnished in an inpatient hospital setting
- Section 1861(b)(4) of the Social Security Act () is amended by inserting after . 42 U.S.C. 1395x(b)(4)
- (1) Payment under physician fee schedule
- (c) Effective date
- The amendments made by this section apply with respect to services furnished on or after the date that is 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act.