Medicare Venipuncture Seniors Protection Act of 1998
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (11 Feb 1998): Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.
What this bill does
H.R. 3137, the Medicare Venipuncture Seniors Protection Act of 1998, would amend the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 to delay by 18 months a provision ending Medicare payment for home health services that qualify solely on the basis of venipuncture (drawing blood for a sample). Under the bill, that prohibition would take effect for home health services furnished on or after August 5, 1999, rather than under the original timeline. The bill also directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study the use and cost of venipuncture-based home health benefits, including effects on beneficiaries in rural areas, and to report findings and related data to Congress by February 5, 1999. It further requires that a related report on the definition of "homebound" include legislative recommendations to address waste, fraud, and abuse without reducing services to beneficiaries with serious medical conditions.
The bill would primarily affect Medicare beneficiaries who receive home health services where a blood draw is the only qualifying skilled service, as well as home health agencies and the Department of Health and Human Services, which would be responsible for conducting the required study and reporting to Congress.
The bill was introduced on February 3, 1998, in the 105th Congress by Rep. Robert Aderholt and referred to the House Committees on Ways and Means and Commerce. It did not receive a vote and did not advance further before the end of that Congress.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Medicare Venipuncture Seniors Protection Act of 1998 - Amends the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 to place an 18-month delay on the prohibition against payment for home health services consisting of venipuncture solely for purposes of obtaining a blood sample. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study and report to the Congress with respect to the provision of home health services consisting of venipuncture under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. Requires the report on the definition of homebound to include specific legislative recommendations to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse (if any) in the determination of whether an individual is homebound without jeopardizing the Medicare services provided to beneficiaries with serious medical conditions.
Timeline
11 Feb 1998
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 3137 do?
- H.R. 3137, the Medicare Venipuncture Seniors Protection Act of 1998, would amend the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 to delay by 18 months a provision ending Medicare payment for home health services that qualify solely on the basis of venipuncture (drawing blood for a sample). Under the bill, that prohibition would take effect for home health services furnished on or after August 5, 1999, rather than under the original timeline. The bill also directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study the use and cost of venipuncture-based home health benefits, including effects on beneficiaries in rural areas, and to report findings and related data to Congress by February 5, 1999. It further requires that a related report on the definition of "homebound" include legislative recommendations to address waste, fraud, and abuse without reducing services to beneficiaries with serious medical conditions. The bill would primarily affect Medicare beneficiaries who receive home health services where a blood draw is the only qualifying skilled service, as well as home health agencies and the Department of Health and Human Services, which would be responsible for conducting the required study and reporting to Congress. The bill was introduced on February 3, 1998, in the 105th Congress by Rep. Robert Aderholt and referred to the House Committees on Ways and Means and Commerce. It did not receive a vote and did not advance further before the end of that Congress.
- Has H.R. 3137 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 3137. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 3137?
- H.R. 3137 was sponsored by Rep. Aderholt, Robert B. [R-AL-4] (R-AL), with 41 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 3137?
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman. (11 Feb 1998).
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