Medicare Choices Empowerment and Protection Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (28 Feb 2019): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
What this bill does
S. 618, the Medicare Choices Empowerment and Protection Act, would amend Medicare law to create a voluntary "Advance Directive Certification Program." Under this program, the Secretary of Health and Human Services would establish a system allowing Medicare beneficiaries to create, register, update, or cancel electronic advance directives—documents outlining desired medical treatment if a person becomes unable to communicate decisions—through accredited vendors. The bill sets standards for vendor accreditation, privacy protections consistent with HIPAA, security testing, and interoperability with health care providers. It also creates a clearinghouse website listing state-specific advance directive forms and directs CMS to include educational information in Medicare materials. Beneficiaries who register a certified advance directive would receive a one-time payment, starting at $75, adjusted annually for inflation, funded through the Medicare Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund.
The bill would primarily affect Medicare Part B beneficiaries, who could choose whether to participate, as well as advance directive vendors seeking federal accreditation and healthcare providers who would gain access to registered directives. It also addresses situations where family members or others may need access to a beneficiary's directive during treatment disputes, based on state law definitions of eligible decision-makers. State laws governing advance directives would remain controlling; the bill does not override them.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on February 28, 2019, by Senator Christopher Coons with several cosponsors, and was referred to the Senate Committee on Finance. As of the latest available information, it had not received a committee vote or further action, and the 116th Congress has since ended, meaning the bill would need to be reintroduced to be considered further.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Medicare Choices Empowerment and Protection Act
This bill establishes a Medicare Advance Directive Certification Program. Under the program, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) shall grant accreditation to advance directive vendors that meet specified accreditation criteria.
The CMS shall establish procedures for an eligible beneficiary to register the adoption of a certified advance directive under the program. Beneficiary registration in the program shall be optional, but each eligible beneficiary who adopts and registers a certified advance directive shall receive a one-time incentive payment.
The CMS shall provide for related education and outreach.
Timeline
28 Feb 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Common questions
- What does S. 618 do?
- S. 618, the Medicare Choices Empowerment and Protection Act, would amend Medicare law to create a voluntary "Advance Directive Certification Program." Under this program, the Secretary of Health and Human Services would establish a system allowing Medicare beneficiaries to create, register, update, or cancel electronic advance directives—documents outlining desired medical treatment if a person becomes unable to communicate decisions—through accredited vendors. The bill sets standards for vendor accreditation, privacy protections consistent with HIPAA, security testing, and interoperability with health care providers. It also creates a clearinghouse website listing state-specific advance directive forms and directs CMS to include educational information in Medicare materials. Beneficiaries who register a certified advance directive would receive a one-time payment, starting at $75, adjusted annually for inflation, funded through the Medicare Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund. The bill would primarily affect Medicare Part B beneficiaries, who could choose whether to participate, as well as advance directive vendors seeking federal accreditation and healthcare providers who would gain access to registered directives. It also addresses situations where family members or others may need access to a beneficiary's directive during treatment disputes, based on state law definitions of eligible decision-makers. State laws governing advance directives would remain controlling; the bill does not override them. The bill was introduced in the Senate on February 28, 2019, by Senator Christopher Coons with several cosponsors, and was referred to the Senate Committee on Finance. As of the latest available information, it had not received a committee vote or further action, and the 116th Congress has since ended, meaning the bill would need to be reintroduced to be considered further.
- Has S. 618 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 618. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 618?
- S. 618 was sponsored by Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE] (D-DE), with 3 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 618?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (28 Feb 2019).
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