I'll give you the short version of this bill.
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Amends section 1905 (42 U.S.C. 1396d) by (1) inserting vision and hearing services into the list of items constituting 'medical assistance' in subsection (a); (2) modifying subsection (b) to add a cross-reference to a new clause '(kk)'; and (3) adding a new subsection (kk) that sets the Federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) at 90 percent for State expenditures for specified dental and oral health services, vision services, and hearing services subject to age, eligibility, and effective-date limitations.
Adds a new subparagraph (MM) to 42 U.S.C. 1395x(s)(2) to list audiology services and hearing services as included under that provision.
Adds a new paragraph (5) to 42 U.S.C. 1395x(ll) defining the term 'hearing services'.
Amends 42 U.S.C. 1395l(a)(1) (section 1833(a)(1) of the Social Security Act) as indicated by striking and inserting specified material (exact inserted/struck text not shown in the excerpt).
Adds new payment and limits provisions for hearing services (new subsection (cc)) and adds a new paragraph (26) to subsection (a) establishing special payment rules for hearing aids, including phased applicable percent schedule and Secretary authority to limit or modify coverage.
Amends 42 U.S.C. 1395w-4(j)(3) (section 1848(j)(3) of the Social Security Act) by inserting specified material (exact insertion not shown in excerpt).
Amends 42 U.S.C. 1395y(a)(7) (section 1862(a)(7) of the Social Security Act) by striking the indicated ground for exclusion (text shown as struck in the bill).
Amends 42 U.S.C. 1395x(n) (definition of durable medical equipment) by inserting specified material so that hearing aids are included within the definition of durable medical equipment.
Amends the definitions section (section 1861 / 42 U.S.C. 1395x) to add vision services to the list of included items and to add a new definition subsection for vision services; also amends the durable medical equipment definition to include eyeglasses, contact lenses, and low vision devices.
Makes amendments to section 1833(a)(1) (42 U.S.C. 1395l(a)(1)), altering payment/coinsurance text as specified in this Act (amendatory text not reproduced in full in this section).
And 2 more affected sections...
Adds comprehensive dental/oral health, vision, and hearing/audiology benefits to Medicare, defines covered services (examples: preventive and restorative dental care, eye exams and corrective lenses, audiology care and hearing aids), and phases in Medicare payment shares over several years until the federal share reaches 80%. The Secretary may impose frequency limits, prior authorization, or modify coverage consistent with U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidance; hearing aids are treated as durable medical equipment with replacement limits. The bill also raises the federal Medicaid matching rate (FMAP) to 90% for those same dental, vision, and hearing services for qualifying adult services provided beginning on the statutory effective date, with certain pediatric exclusions.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Introduced June 12, 2025 by Angela Deneece Alsobrooks · Last progress June 12, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Introduced in Senate