ARC Act of 2025

This legislation aims to lower avoidable leg amputations by expanding screening and education for peripheral artery disease (PAD). Medicare and Medicaid would cover PAD screening tests for people at higher risk with no copays or deductibles. Covered tests include ankle‑brachial index checks and duplex ultrasound of leg arteries, and the federal health department will set how often these tests are covered . Medicare would pay the full approved amount and add PAD screening to the initial preventive visit; tests done more often than allowed would not be covered . Congress notes PAD’s toll: about 21 million Americans have it, and roughly 200,000 people—often minorities—suffer avoidable amputations each year.

The bill also creates a national PAD education program at the CDC to inform the public and clinicians and share best practices, funded at $6 million per year from 2026–2030. Within 18 months of enactment, the health department must develop amputation‑prevention quality measures and add them to Medicare’s quality programs, and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation must test a pilot program that promotes hospital and clinic efforts like risk management, early screening, testing and treatment for PAD, and better care coordination .

• Who is affected:
  • People at higher risk for PAD, including adults 65+, adults 50–64 with risks like diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure (or family history), younger adults with diabetes plus another risk factor, and people with known artery disease elsewhere; applies to Medicare and Medicaid enrollees .
• What changes:
  • No copays or deductibles for PAD screening; Medicare pays the full approved amount and includes PAD screening in the initial preventive visit; standards will set how often tests are covered; Medicaid also covers these screenings without cost‑sharing .
• When:
  • Medicare coverage changes start January 1, 2026; the CDC education funding runs 2026–2030; the quality measures and pilot program must be launched within 18 months of enactment .