Sponsors (3)
Introduced April 30, 2025 by Pete Sessions · Last progress April 30, 2025
The bill raises quality and consistency of EMG/NCS testing to reduce misdiagnosis and program waste, but at the cost of potential local access reductions, higher provider compliance and training burdens, and added federal administrative expense.
Medicare beneficiaries and patients with chronic conditions: Requires accredited facilities and on-site, real-time interpretation for EMG/NCS, improving diagnostic reliability, faster clinical decisions, and reducing misdiagnosis and unnecessary procedures.
Taxpayers and the Medicare program: Establishes accreditation standards and advisory priorities that can reduce waste, fraud, and unnecessary surgeries, potentially saving program dollars.
Hospitals, health systems, and clinicians: Creates clear national accreditation and regulatory processes that promote consistent quality standards across facilities.
Medicare beneficiaries (especially in rural areas): Accreditation requirements may reduce local availability of EMG/NCS, forcing longer travel or delays to get tests.
Hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers: New equipment, quality-assurance, and on-site interpretation requirements could impose substantial compliance costs, which may raise prices or reduce provider capacity.
Clinicians who perform needle EMG: A 3-month training requirement may exclude some current practitioners or require additional training, reducing workforce supply and appointment availability.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Medicare Part B will only pay for most electrodiagnostic tests if they are provided at accredited 'qualified facilities' meeting new training, equipment, and quality requirements.
Prohibits Medicare Part B from paying for most electrodiagnostic services (nerve conduction studies and needle EMG) unless those services are provided at an accredited "qualified facility" that meets new training, equipment, quality, and oversight standards; intraoperative neuromonitoring is excluded. The bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to identify accrediting organizations in consultation with a new National Electrodiagnostic Services Advisory Committee, issue implementing regulations, and set the effective date between 3 and 4 years after enactment.