H.R. 4204

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to allow Medicare beneficiaries to choose their physical and occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and chiropractors.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · June 26, 2025 · Sponsor: Mr. Smucker

Table of contents

• H.R. 4204
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Free choice of therapists for Medicare beneficiaries

SEC. 1. Short title

• This Act may be cited as the Medicare Patient Choice Act.

SEC. 2. Free choice of therapists for Medicare beneficiaries

• Section 1802(b) of the Social Security Act () is amended— 42 U.S.C. 1395a(b)
  • in paragraph (1)—
    • in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking physician or practitionerand inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist; and
    • in subparagraph (B), in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking physician or practitionerand inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist;
  • in paragraph (2)(B)—
    • in clause (i), by striking physician or practitionerand inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist;
    • in clause (v), by striking physicians or practitionersand inserting physicians, practitioners, therapists, or qualified audiologists; and
    • in the matter following clause (v), by striking physician or practitionerand inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist;
  • in paragraph (3)—
    • in the heading, by striking and inserting ;
    • in subparagraph (A), by striking physician or practitionerand inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist;
    • in subparagraph (B)—
      • (i) in clause (i), by striking each place it appears and inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist; and
      • (ii) in clause (ii), by striking physician or practitionerand inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist;
    • in subparagraph (C)—
      • (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking physician or practitionerand inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist;
      • (ii) in clause (i), by striking physician or practitionerand inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist; and
      • (iii) in clause (ii), by striking physician or practitionerand inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist; and
    • in subparagraph (D), by striking each place it appears and inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist;
  • in paragraph (5)—
    • in the heading, by striking and inserting ;
    • in subparagraph (A), by striking physicians and practitionersand inserting physicians, practitioners, therapists, and qualified audiologists; and
    • in subparagraph (B)—
      • (i) in the manner preceding clause (i), by striking physicians and practitionersand inserting physicians, practitioners, therapists, and qualified audiologists;
      • (ii) in clause (iv), by striking physicians and practitionersand inserting physicians, practitioners, therapists, and qualified audiologists; and
      • (iii) in clause (v), by striking physicians and practitionersand inserting physicians, practitioners, therapists, and qualified audiologists; and
  • in paragraph (6)—
    • in subparagraph (B), by striking ;
    • in subparagraph (D)—
      • (i) in the heading, by striking and inserting ; and
      • (ii) by striking each place it appears and inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist; and
      • (E) Therapist
        • The term therapist means a qualified physical therapist (as such term is used in section 1861(p)), a qualified occupational therapist (as such term is used in 1861(g)), or a qualified speech-language pathologist (as defined in 1861(ll)(4)(A)).
      • (F) Qualified audiologist
        • The term qualified audiologist has the meaning given such term in section 1861(ll)(4)(B).
    • by adding at the end the following: