All bills
S. 856·112th Congress·Senate Bill

Medicare Spending Transparency Act of 2011

Stage not supplied

The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.

Latest action (14 Apr 2011): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2531-3532)

What this bill does

The Medicare Spending Transparency Act of 2011, introduced by Senator Richard Durbin, proposes to make more information about Medicare providers publicly available and to grant access to certain Medicare data for research and fraud detection. Specifically, it would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to publish a list of all Medicare providers and suppliers, along with their business addresses. Additionally, aggregate data for each provider and supplier would be made public, including information on the number of patients served, services billed, and total payments received.

The bill would also allow individuals or groups deemed "qualified" by the Secretary to access Medicare claims and payment data. To be considered qualified, an individual or entity must demonstrate relevant experience and expertise in areas such as medicine, statistics, or fraud detection. This access is intended for health research and fraud detection purposes. The Secretary would establish procedures for storing and using this data, and would require qualified recipients to disclose certain information if they publish any analysis derived from the data.

This bill was introduced in the Senate in April 2011 and was referred to the Committee on Finance. No further legislative action is indicated in the provided material.

Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.

Official summary

Medicare Spending Transparency Act of 2011 - Amends title XI of the Social Security Act (SSA) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), consistent with applicable information, privacy, security, and disclosure laws, to make public on the Internet website of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services the following data with respect to SSA title XVIII (Medicare): (1) a complete list of service providers and suppliers participating in the Medicare program, including their business addresses; and (2) certain aggregate information about each provider and supplier.

Entitles a qualified individual or group, for health research and fraud detection purposes, to access to Medicare claims and payment data of both HHS and its contractors. Directs the Secretary to establish procedures for the storage and use of data provided to such an individual or group.

Timeline

  1. 14 Apr 2011

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2531-3532)

Common questions

What does S. 856 do?
The Medicare Spending Transparency Act of 2011, introduced by Senator Richard Durbin, proposes to make more information about Medicare providers publicly available and to grant access to certain Medicare data for research and fraud detection. Specifically, it would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to publish a list of all Medicare providers and suppliers, along with their business addresses. Additionally, aggregate data for each provider and supplier would be made public, including information on the number of patients served, services billed, and total payments received. The bill would also allow individuals or groups deemed "qualified" by the Secretary to access Medicare claims and payment data. To be considered qualified, an individual or entity must demonstrate relevant experience and expertise in areas such as medicine, statistics, or fraud detection. This access is intended for health research and fraud detection purposes. The Secretary would establish procedures for storing and using this data, and would require qualified recipients to disclose certain information if they publish any analysis derived from the data. This bill was introduced in the Senate in April 2011 and was referred to the Committee on Finance. No further legislative action is indicated in the provided material.
Has S. 856 become law?
The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 856. Check the latest action and official source below.
Who sponsored S. 856?
S. 856 was sponsored by Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL] (D-IL), with 0 cosponsors.
What's the latest action on S. 856?
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2531-3532) (14 Apr 2011).

Related bills in Health

More bills from Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]

Bill100 mirrors the public U.S. legislative record from Congress.gov and GovTrack and adds plain-English AI summaries. It is an information tool, not legal, compliance or lobbying advice, and it is not affiliated with the U.S. Congress or any government agency. AI summaries can simplify or omit detail — every bill links to the official source; verify there before you rely on it.