H.R. 2757

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve coverage of audiology services under the Medicare program, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · April 9, 2025 · Sponsor: Mr. Bilirakis

Table of contents

• H.R. 2757
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Coverage of audiology services under the Medicare program

SEC. 1. Short title

• This Act may be cited as the Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act of 2025.

SEC. 2. Coverage of audiology services under the Medicare program

• (a) In general
  • Section 1861(s)(2) of the Social Security Act () is amended— 42 U.S.C. 1395x(s)(2)
    • in subparagraph (JJ), by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting ; and; and
      • audiology services (as defined in subsection (ll)(3));
    • by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
• (b) Improved access to audiology services
  • Paragraph (3) of section 1861(ll) of the Social Security Act () is amended to read as follows: 42 U.S.C. 1395x(ll)
    • The term audiology services means such hearing and balance assessment services furnished on or before December 31, 2026, and beginning January 1, 2027, such diagnostic or treatment services furnished by a qualified audiologist which the qualified audiologist is legally authorized to perform under State law (or the regulatory mechanism provided by State law), as would otherwise be covered if furnished by a physician or as incident to a physician’s service. A qualified audiologist shall be permitted to furnish such audiology services without regard to any requirement that the individual receiving such audiology services is under the care of (or referred by) a physician or other health care practitioner or that such services are furnished under the supervision of a physician or other health care practitioner.
• (c) Payment amount and coinsurance
  • Section 1833(a)(1) of the Social Security Act () is amended— 42 U.S.C. 1395l(a)(1)
    • by striking before (HH); and
    • by inserting the following before the semicolon: .
• (d) Payment on assignment-Related basis
  • 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 audiologist (as defined in section 1861(ll)(4)(B)).
• (e) Inclusion of qualified audiologists as RHC and FQHC practitioners
  • Section 1861(aa)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act () is amended by inserting after . 42 U.S.C. 1395x(aa)(1)(B)
• (f) Rule of construction
  • Nothing in the amendments made by this section shall be construed to expand the scope of audiologist services or services for which payment may be made to other providers under title XVIII of the Social Security Act () beyond those services for which such payment may be made as of December 31, 2026. 42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.
• (g) Effective date
  • The amendments made by this section shall apply to items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2027.