Empowering Patient Choice of Medical Care Act
Empowering Patient Choice of Medical Care Act
Plain Language Summary
# Empowering Patient Choice of Medical Care Act (HR 3021) Summary **What the Bill Would Do:** This bill would limit Medicare's ability to restrict certain medical services to hospital inpatient settings. Currently, Medicare can decide that specific procedures or treatments can *only* be covered if patients stay overnight in a hospital. This bill would prevent Medicare from making that decision based solely on the belief that a service must be inpatient—essentially giving patients more flexibility to receive certain treatments in outpatient settings (where you don't stay overnight) if that option is available. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects Medicare patients (seniors and some disabled individuals), hospitals, and outpatient medical facilities.
It could influence which medical settings are reimbursed by Medicare and potentially expand where eligible patients can receive care. **Current Status:** The bill is currently in committee, meaning it has been introduced but has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives. No action has been taken to advance it as of this summary.
CRS Official Summary
Empowering Patient Choice of Medical Care Act This bill prohibits the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from refusing to designate a service as a covered hospital outpatient service under Medicare based solely on its determination that the service can only be furnished in an inpatient setting.
Latest Action
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.