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HR 2534 102th Congress House Health Home care services Licenses Medical supplies Medicare Medicare fraud Oxygen Physicians Standards

Ethics and Treatment of Home Medical Equipment Act of 1991

Introduced: June 4, 1991 See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 24, 1991
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and the Environment.
Jun 12, 1991
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Jun 4, 1991
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Jun 4, 1991
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Jun 4, 1991
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Ethics and Treatment of Home Medical Equipment Act of 1991 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish certification standards for suppliers of durable medical equipment, ostomy bags, and supplies related to ostomy care under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) to assure patient safety and the availability of high-quality covered items. Requires such suppliers to meet such standards in order to be eligible for reimbursement from Medicare. Deems such suppliers accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations or other appropriate accrediting entities to have met those standards.

Prohibits carrier forum shopping.

Modifies the prohibition against suppliers filling out certificates of medical necessity to make such prohibition applicable to items on the Secretary's list of potentially overused items.

Prohibits physician referrals to durable medical equipment companies in which the referring physician has a financial relationship.

Waives mandatory submission of claims provisions for nonparticipating suppliers of inexpensive items of durable medical equipment.

Sets limits on the Medicare reimbursement cuts mandated under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 for covered items.

Restores Medicare's monthly payment for rental cap items to ten percent per month for up to 12 months.

Provides an up-front purchase option for rental cap items in instances where the item is needed for longer than 12 months at least 75 percent of the time or where the patient is in a severe condition recognized by the Secretary.

What's happening now June 24, 1991

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and the Environment.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4