Summary:
Protecting Access to Rural Therapy Services (PARTS) Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to state that, except with respect to high-risk or complex medical services requiring direct levels of supervision, if the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) requires supervision by a physician or non-physician practitioner for Medicare payment for therapeutic hospital outpatient services, that requirement is met if such services are furnished under the physician's or non-physician practitioner's general supervision.

Directs the Secretary of HHS to establish a process for designating therapeutic hospital outpatient services for which direct supervision may be required for the entire service or direct supervision during the initiation of the service followed by general supervision for the remainder of the service.

Declares without force or effect in law regarding Medicare requirements for direct supervision by physicians for therapeutic hospital outpatient services a specified restatement and clarification under the final rulemaking changes to the Medicare hospital outpatient prospective payment system and calendar year 2009 payment rates, which was published in the Federal Register on November 18, 2008.

protecting_access rural therapy services parts act_-_amends title xviii medicare social_security_act state respect high risk complex medical services requiring direct levels supervision secretary health_and_human_services hhs requires supervision physician non physician practitioner medicare payment therapeutic hospital outpatient services requirement met services furnished physician non physician practitioner general supervision directs secretary hhs establish process designating therapeutic hospital outpatient services direct supervision required entire service direct supervision initiation service followed general supervision remainder service declares force effect law medicare requirements direct supervision physicians therapeutic hospital outpatient services specified restatement clarification final rulemaking changes medicare hospital outpatient prospective payment system calendar year payment rates published federal_register november


Summary: Diabetic Testing Supply Access Act of 2013 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to deny the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) authority to restrict or eliminate a Medicare beneficiary's option of electing, regardless of delivery method (except by mail), to have diabetic testing supplies delivered to him or her by retail community pharmacies, including one that contracts with a long-term care facility, assisted living facility, group home, or other type of residential setting recognized by the state.

diabetic testing supply access act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act deny secretary health_and_human_services hhs authority restrict eliminate medicare beneficiary option electing regardless delivery method mail diabetic testing supplies delivered retail community pharmacies including contracts long-term_care facility assisted living facility group home type residential setting recognized state


Summary:
Hospital Price Transparency and Disclosure Act of 2013 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require a hospital or ambulatory surgical center to report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding: (1) the frequency of occurrence of certain treatment episodes for the most frequently treated conditions or diseases in each setting, (2) the total number of treatment episodes for which care was furnished by the hospital or center, and (3) the insured and uninsured average charge by the hospital or center for such treatment episode.

Requires the Secretary to post promptly on the HHS website: (1) such information in a manner that promotes charge comparisons among hospitals and among ambulatory surgical centers, and (2) an appropriate link to other consumer quality information maintained on such site or a site maintained by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Requires a hospital and an ambulatory surgical center to post prominently at each admission site a notice of the availability of such data.

Authorizes civil penalties for violations of this Act.

hospital price transparency disclosure act amends public_health_service_act require hospital ambulatory surgical center report secretary health_and_human_services hhs frequency occurrence certain treatment frequently treated conditions diseases setting total number treatment care furnished hospital center insured uninsured average charge hospital center treatment episode requires secretary post promptly hhs website information manner promotes charge comparisons hospitals ambulatory surgical centers appropriate link consumer quality information maintained site site maintained centers medicare medicaid_services requires hospital ambulatory surgical center post prominently admission site notice availability data authorizes civil penalties violations act


Summary:
Nursing Home Patient Protection and Standards Act of 2013 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require testing programs in skilled nursing facility (SNF) survey and certification techniques to be sufficiently rigorous to ensure that surveyors are adequately prepared to survey and certify SNFs in a consistent and accurate manner.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish requirements: (1) for the qualification and compensation of members of a survey team, and (2) that a state employs an adequate number of individuals as members of survey teams to ensure adequate oversight of SNFs. Requires the Secretary, in addition to the training and testing program, to require that state and federal surveyors regularly complete an adequate number of continuing education courses meeting certain requirements for content and rigor of material.

Requires covered individuals to report to the Secretary instances where surveys fail to report or under report an issue in a facility that could impact the safety or quality of care of its residents. Adds whistleblower protections for such individuals.

Adds penalties for inappropriately influencing a surveyor.

Requires the Secretary to establish an advisory committee on surveys.

Requires survey team supervisors to review each conducted survey to ensure that any identified issues affecting quality of care are consistently and appropriately described and rated.

nursing home patient_protection standards act amends title xviii medicare xix medicaid social_security_act require testing programs skilled nursing facility snf survey certification techniques sufficiently rigorous ensure adequately prepared survey certify snfs consistent accurate manner directs secretary health_and_human_services hhs establish requirements qualification compensation members survey team state employs adequate number individuals members survey teams ensure adequate oversight snfs requires secretary addition training testing program require state federal regularly complete adequate number continuing education courses meeting certain requirements content rigor material requires covered individuals report secretary instances surveys fail report report issue facility impact safety quality care residents adds whistleblower protections individuals adds penalties inappropriately influencing requires secretary establish advisory_committee surveys requires survey team supervisors review conducted survey ensure identified issues affecting quality care consistently appropriately described rated


Summary:
Medicare VA Reimbursement Act of 2013 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), in cooperation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), to establish a Medicare VA reimbursement program under which the HHS Secretary shall reimburse the VA Secretary, from the Medicare trust funds, for any item or service: (1) furnished to a Medicare-eligible veteran by a VA medical facility for the treatment of a non-service-connected condition, and (2) covered by Medicare or determined to be medically necessary by the VA Secretary.

Requires the HHS Secretary to enter a memorandum of understanding with the VA Secretary concerning administration of the program. Specifies required conditions in the memorandum.

Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress on the program every three years.

Declares the sense of Congress that the amount of funds appropriated to the VA for medical care in any fiscal year should not be reduced as a result of the implementation of the Medicare VA reimbursement program.

medicare reimbursement act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act direct secretary health_and_human_services hhs cooperation secretary veterans_affairs establish medicare reimbursement program hhs secretary shall reimburse secretary medicare trust funds item service furnished medicare eligible veteran medical facility treatment non service connected condition covered medicare determined medically necessary secretary requires hhs secretary enter memorandum understanding secretary concerning administration program specifies required conditions memorandum directs comptroller_general report congress program years declares sense congress funds appropriated medical care fiscal year reduced result implementation medicare reimbursement program


Summary:
Behavioral Health Information Technology Act of 2013 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to include as a health care provider behavioral and mental health professionals, substance abuse professionals, psychiatric hospitals, certain community mental health centers, and residential or outpatient mental health or substance abuse treatment facilities.

Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA), with respect to incentives for meaningful use of certified electronic health records (EHR) technology under the pay schedule for physician's services, to include as additional eligible professionals clinical psychologists providing qualified psychologist services. Subjects any additional eligible professionals, including those under a MedicareAdvantage (MA) plan, to reductions in incentive payments after a certain date for failure to be a meaningful EHR user.

Makes inpatient psychiatric hospitals eligible for payment for inpatient hospital services.

Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to treat as Medicaid providers: (1) public and certain private hospitals that are principally psychiatric hospitals, (2) certain community mental health centers, and (3) certain residential or outpatient mental health or substance abuse treatment facilities.

Makes eligible professionals under the Medicaid program certain clinical psychologists providing qualified psychologist services.

Authorizes a covered entity to submit to a patient safety organization information on electronic health record (EHR)-related adverse events with respect to certified EHR technology.

Specifies covered entities as certain EHR users, health information exchange entities, and health care professionals who use EHR technology.

Defines an EHR-related adverse event as a defect, malfunction, or error in the certified health information technology or EHR used by a provider, or in the input or output of data maintained through such technology or record, that results or could reasonably result in harm to a patient.

Limits electronic discovery (e-discovery) in any health care lawsuit against a covered entity relating to an Reallotted adverse event involving certified EHR technology to information: (1) related to that event, and (2) from the period in which the event occurred.

Prohibits a claimant from commencing a lawsuit more than three years after the manifestation of injury or one year after the claimant discovers, or should have discovered, the injury, whichever occurs first. Requires tolling of this limitation, however, to the extent that the claimant is able to prove: (1) fraud; (2) intentional concealment; or (3) the presence of a foreign body, with no therapeutic or diagnostic purpose or effect, in the injured person.

Subjects each party to such a lawsuit which is not a covered entity to proportionate liability only.

Allows punitive damages against a covered entity only upon proof by clear and convincing evidence that the entity acted with reckless disregard for the claimant's health or safety.

Shields covered entities, employees, agents, and representatives from civil liability for libel or slander arising from information or entries made in certified EHR technology, or transferred to another eligible provider, if the information, entries, or transfer were made in good faith and without malice.

behavioral health information technology act amends public_health_service_act include health_care provider behavioral mental health professionals substance abuse professionals psychiatric hospitals certain community mental health centers residential outpatient mental health substance abuse treatment facilities amends title xviii medicare social_security_act ssa respect incentives meaningful use certified electronic health records ehr technology pay schedule physician services include additional eligible professionals clinical psychologists providing qualified psychologist services subjects additional eligible professionals including medicareadvantage plan reductions incentive payments certain date failure meaningful ehr user makes inpatient psychiatric hospitals eligible payment inpatient hospital services amends ssa title xix medicaid treat medicaid providers public certain private hospitals principally psychiatric hospitals certain community mental health centers certain residential outpatient mental health substance abuse treatment facilities makes eligible professionals medicaid program certain clinical psychologists providing qualified psychologist services authorizes covered entity submit patient safety organization information electronic health record adverse events respect certified ehr technology specifies covered entities certain ehr users health information exchange entities health_care professionals use ehr technology defines ehr related adverse event defect error certified health information technology ehr provider input output data maintained technology record results reasonably result harm patient limits electronic discovery discovery health_care lawsuit covered entity relating adverse event involving certified ehr technology information related event period event occurred prohibits claimant commencing lawsuit years manifestation injury year claimant discovers discovered injury whichever occurs requires tolling limitation extent claimant able prove fraud intentional concealment presence foreign body therapeutic diagnostic purpose effect injured person subjects party lawsuit covered entity proportionate liability allows punitive damages covered entity proof clear convincing evidence entity acted reckless disregard claimant health safety shields covered entities employees agents representatives civil liability libel slander arising information entries certified ehr technology transferred eligible provider information entries transfer good faith malice


Summary:
Protect Patients Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to subject to civil monetary penalties any psychiatric hospitals or psychiatric units determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) not to have in place a discharge planning process meeting certain requirements.

Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) enter into a system improvement agreement, meeting specified criteria,with a psychiatric hospital or a psychiatric unit that has been determined on multiple occasions not to have such a discharge planning process in place; and (2) appoint temporary management to oversee its operation in the event that the hospital or unit still fails to have a sufficient discharge planning process in place 45 days after entering into such an agreement.

protect patients act_-_amends title xviii medicare social_security_act subject civil monetary penalties psychiatric hospitals psychiatric units determined secretary health_and_human_services hhs place discharge planning process meeting certain requirements authorizes secretary enter system improvement agreement meeting specified criteria psychiatric hospital psychiatric unit determined multiple occasions discharge planning process place appoint temporary management oversee operation event hospital unit fails sufficient discharge planning process place days entering agreement


Summary:
Critical Access Hospital Flexibility Act of 2013 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to the Medicare rural hospital flexibility program and criteria for designation of critical access hospitals, specifically the requirement to provide not more than 25 acute care inpatient beds for inpatient care for up to 96 hours per patient as an annual average.

Permits a facility that was designated a critical access hospital before enactment of this Act, in the alternative, to satisfy such requirement by providing not more than 20 acute care inpatient beds.

Requires all beds to be occupied for the bed count to meet this critical access hospital criterion.

critical access hospital flexibility act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act ssa respect medicare rural hospital flexibility program criteria designation critical access hospitals specifically requirement provide acute care inpatient beds inpatient care hours patient annual average permits facility designated critical access hospital enactment act alternative satisfy requirement providing acute care inpatient beds requires beds occupied bed count meet critical access hospital criterion


Summary:
Creating Access to Rehabilitation for Every Senior (CARES) Act of 2013 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to coverage of extended care services without regard to the three-day prior hospitalization requirement (non-post-hospital extended care services).

Restricts such coverage to non-post-hospital extended care services in a qualified skilled nursing facility.

Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) to study the cost of impact of this Act.

creating access rehabilitation senior cares act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act respect coverage extended care services regard day prior hospitalization requirement non post hospital extended care services restricts coverage non post hospital extended care services qualified skilled nursing facility directs medicare_payment_advisory_commission medpac study cost impact act


Summary:
VA Construction Assistance Act of 2014 - (Sec. 2) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the management of the major medical center construction projects of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has been an abysmal failure; and (2) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs should fully implement all recommendations made by the Comptroller General in an April 2013 report to improve VA construction procedures.

(Sec. 3) Requires the Secretary, for any construction or alteration project that is a major medical facility project, to: (1) use the services of a medical equipment planner as part of the architectural and engineering firm for the project, (2) develop and use a project management plan to ensure clear and consistent communication among all parties, (3) subject the project to construction peer excellence review, (4) develop a metrics program to enable the monitoring of change-order processing time and goals for the change-order process consistent with the best practices of other federal agencies, and (5) use design-build processes to minimize multiple change orders.

(Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary to procure the services of the Army Corps of Engineers with respect to appointing not less than one special project manager who has experience in managing construction projects that exceed $60 million to oversee such covered projects until completion. Requires a special project manager to submit to specified congressional committees detailed plans of a covered project and progress reports, which shall include an analysis of all changes ordered by the VA and recommendations for improving the operation of any construction-related activity to reduce costs or complete the project in a more timely manner.

Defines "covered projects" to mean each construction project that is a major medical facility project that: (1) was the subject of a report by the Comptroller General (GAO) titled "Additional Actions Needed to Decrease Delays and Lower Costs of Major Medical-Facility Projects," published in April 2013; and (2) has not been activated to accept patients as of this Act's enactment.

(Sec. 5) Prohibits additional funds from being authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act.

construction assistance_act sec expresses sense congress management major medical center construction projects department_of_veterans_affairs failure secretary veterans_affairs fully implement recommendations comptroller_general april report improve construction procedures sec requires secretary construction alteration project major medical facility project use services medical equipment planner architectural engineering firm project develop use project management plan ensure clear consistent communication parties subject project construction peer excellence review develop metrics program enable monitoring change order processing time goals change order process consistent best practices federal agencies use design build processes minimize multiple change orders sec directs secretary procure services army_corps_of_engineers respect appointing special project manager experience managing construction projects exceed million oversee covered projects completion requires special project manager submit specified congressional committees detailed plans covered project progress reports shall include analysis changes ordered recommendations improving operation construction related activity reduce costs complete project timely manner defines covered projects mean construction project major medical facility project subject report comptroller_general gao titled additional actions needed decrease delays lower costs major medical facility projects published april activated accept patients act enactment sec prohibits additional funds authorized appropriated carry act


Summary:
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA), with respect to payment to hospitals for inpatient hospital services, to revise the payment formula for certain "subsection (d) hospitals" under Medicare.

(Generally, a subsection (d) hospital is an acute care hospital, particularly one that receives payments under Medicare's inpatient prospective payment system [IPPS], when providing covered inpatient services to eligible beneficiaries.)

Specifies as the kind of subsection (d) hospital to which this payment formula applies any hospital that: (1) first received a payment in 1986 which has an average inpatient length of stay of more than 20 days, and (2) has 80% or more of its annual Medicare inpatient discharges with a principal diagnosis that reflects a finding of neoplastic disease in the 12-month cost reporting period ending in FY1997.

Requires payments for inpatient operating costs, in the case of such hospitals, for cost reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2014, to be based upon the established target amount per discharge, increased for each succeeding cost reporting period by the market basket percentage increase.

amends title xviii medicare social_security_act ssa respect payment hospitals inpatient hospital services revise payment formula certain subsection hospitals medicare generally subsection hospital acute care hospital particularly receives payments medicare inpatient prospective payment system ipps providing covered inpatient services eligible beneficiaries specifies kind subsection hospital payment formula applies hospital received payment average inpatient length stay days annual medicare inpatient discharges principal diagnosis reflects finding disease month cost reporting period ending requires payments inpatient operating costs case hospitals cost reporting periods beginning january based established target discharge increased succeeding cost reporting period market basket percentage increase


Summary:
Two-Midnight Rule Delay Act of 2013 - Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) from enforcing the two-midnight rule to a hospital for which payment is made under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act for admissions occurring before October 1, 2014.

(The two-midnight rule allows Medicare coverage of only hospital stays for which a physician admits to a hospital a beneficiary expected to require care that crosses two midnights, but generally denies coverage of care expected to require less than a two-midnight stay.)

Applies such prohibition to Medicare review contracts.

Prohibits Medicare review contractors from denying a claim for inpartient hospital services furnished by a hospital, or inpatient critical access hospital services furnished by a critical access hospital, for discharges occurring before October 1, 2014: (1) for medical necessity due to the length of an inpatient stay in such hospital or due to a determination that the services could have been provided on an outpatient basis; or (2) for requirements for orders, certifications, or recertifications, and associated documentation relating to such matters.

Prohibits the Secretary from increasing the sample of claims selected for prepayment review under the Medicare Probe and Educate program above the number and type established by the Secretary as of November 4, 2013.

Directs the Secretary to develop: (1) a Medicare hospital payment methodology for short inpatient hospital stays; (2) general equivalency maps to link the relevant International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD)-10 codes (used to report medical diagnoses and inpatient procedures) to relevant Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes, and the relevant CPT codes to relevant ICD-10 codes, in order to permit comparison of inpatient hospital services and hospital outpatient department servives; and (3) a second crosswalk between Diagnosis-Related Group (DRG) codes for inpatient hospital services and Ambulatory Payment Class codes for outpatient hospital services.

midnight rule delay act prohibits secretary health_and_human_services hhs enforcing midnight rule hospital payment title xviii medicare social_security_act admissions occurring october midnight rule allows medicare coverage hospital stays physician hospital beneficiary expected require care crosses generally denies coverage care expected require midnight stay applies prohibition medicare review contracts prohibits medicare review contractors denying claim hospital services furnished hospital inpatient critical access hospital services furnished critical access hospital discharges occurring october medical necessity length inpatient stay hospital determination services provided outpatient basis requirements orders certifications associated documentation relating matters prohibits secretary increasing sample claims selected prepayment review medicare educate program number type established secretary november directs secretary develop medicare hospital payment methodology short inpatient hospital stays general equivalency maps link relevant international statistical classification diseases related health problems codes report medical diagnoses inpatient procedures relevant current procedural terminology cpt codes relevant cpt codes relevant icd-10 codes order permit comparison inpatient hospital services hospital outpatient department second diagnosis related group codes inpatient hospital services ambulatory payment class codes outpatient hospital services


Summary: Medicare CGM Coverage Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to cover continuous glucose monitoring systems (CGMS) (including a transmitter, receiver, sensors, and test strips required for use) as durable medical equipment (DME).

medicare coverage act_-_amends title xviii medicare social_security_act ssa cover continuous glucose monitoring systems including transmitter receiver sensors test strips required use durable medical equipment dme


Summary:
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), during a specified extension period, to extend the therapy supervision nonenforcement instruction (the enforcement instruction on supervision requirements for outpatient therapeutic services in critical access and small rural hospitals, as extended for calendar year 2013 by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services).

Directs the Secretary to study the impact (including the economic impact and the impact upon hospital staffing needs, if any) on critical access hospitals and small rural hospitals of not extending the therapy supervision nonenforcement instruction.

directs secretary health_and_human_services hhs specified extension period extend therapy supervision instruction enforcement instruction supervision requirements outpatient therapeutic services critical access small rural hospitals extended calendar year centers medicare medicaid_services directs secretary study impact including economic impact impact hospital staffing needs critical access hospitals small rural hospitals extending therapy supervision instruction


Summary:
Stark Administrative Simplification Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to prescribe a single civil monetary penalty as an alternative sanction to those already established for compensation arrangements between a physician (or an immediate family member) and a person or entity that is in violation of the limitation on certain physician referrals (Stark Law) solely due to technical noncompliance.

(The Stark law, or Stark Rule, prohibits physician referrals of certain health services for Medicare and Medicaid patients to a specified entity if the physician, or an immediate family member, has a financial relationship with that entity.)

Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to accept the voluntary disclosure of a technically noncomplaint compensation arrangement by a person or entity in violation of the Stark Law under certain circumstances.

administrative simplification act_-_amends title xviii medicare social_security_act ssa prescribe single civil monetary penalty alternative sanction established compensation arrangements physician immediate family member person entity violation limitation certain physician referrals law solely technical noncompliance law rule prohibits physician referrals certain health services medicare medicaid patients specified entity physician immediate family member financial relationship entity requires secretary health_and_human_services hhs accept voluntary disclosure technically compensation arrangement person entity violation law certain circumstances


Summary: Comprehensive Care Payment Innovation Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide for bundled payments for integrated care furnished by a qualified entity, during an episode of care for applicable conditions involving a hospitalization, to an individual entitled to, or enrolled for, benefits under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) and enrolled for benefits under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance), but not enrolled under Medicare part C (Medicare+Choice Program) or in a PACE (Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) program.

comprehensive care payment innovation act_-_amends title xviii medicare social_security_act ssa direct secretary health_and_human_services hhs provide bundled payments integrated care furnished qualified entity episode care applicable conditions involving hospitalization individual entitled enrolled benefits medicare hospital insurance enrolled benefits medicare supplementary_medical_insurance enrolled medicare program pace programs inclusive care elderly program


Summary: Lymphedema Treatment Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to cover certain lymphedema compression treatment items as durable medical equipment.

treatment act_-_amends title xviii medicare social_security_act ssa cover certain compression treatment items durable medical equipment


Summary: VA Timely Mammogram Results Act of 2013 [sic] - Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs: (1) to establish standards with respect to the timeliness of reporting and providing to patients the results of mammograms performed at a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facility; and (2) in establishing such standards, to take into consideration the best practices of the private sector.

timely mammogram results act sic requires secretary veterans_affairs establish standards respect timeliness reporting providing patients results mammograms performed department_of_veterans_affairs facility establishing standards consideration best practices private sector


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to continue to instruct Medicare contractors not to enforce requirements for direct physician supervision of outpatient therapeutic services in critical access and small rural hospitals through 2014.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated requires secretary health_and_human_services hhs continue instruct medicare contractors enforce requirements direct physician supervision outpatient therapeutic services critical access small rural hospitals


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on May 20, 2014. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Trauma Systems and Regionalization of Emergency Care Reauthorization Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize appropriations for trauma care programs through FY2019. Requires that not more than 50% of amounts remaining for a fiscal year after FY2014 (after allocation for administrative purposes or for improvement of emergency medical services in rural areas) be allocated for competitive grants to support pilot projects for emergency care and trauma systems.

Requires the inclusion of standards and requirements of the American Burn Association in trauma care modifications of a state plan for providing emergency medical services.

measure amended reported house summary version repeated trauma systems emergency care reauthorization act_-_amends public_health_service_act authorize appropriations trauma care programs fy2019 requires amounts remaining fiscal year fy2014 allocation administrative purposes improvement emergency medical services rural areas allocated competitive grants support pilot projects emergency care trauma systems requires inclusion standards requirements american burn association trauma care modifications state plan providing emergency medical services


Summary:
Establishing Beneficiary Equity in the Hospital Readmission Program Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) with respect to the hospital readmission reduction program to exclude from the program admissions related to transplants, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), burns, trauma, psychosis, or substance abuse.

 Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), in applying requirements for the excess readmission ratio, to provide for a risk adjustment that will take into account a hospital's proportion of inpatients who are full-benefit dual eligible individuals (eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid under SSA title XIX) in order to ensure that hospitals that treat the most vulnerable populations are not unfairly penalized.

Directs the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MEDPAC) to study the appropriateness of using a threshold of 30 days for readmissions under the program.

Directs the Secretary, in promulgating regulations for the hospital readmission reduction program, to consider the use of V codes for potential exclusions of cases involving noncompliant patients in promulgating applicable regulations.

establishing beneficiary equity hospital program act_-_amends title xviii medicare social_security_act ssa respect hospital reduction program exclude program admissions related end stage renal disease esrd burns trauma substance abuse requires secretary health_and_human_services hhs applying requirements excess ratio provide risk adjustment account hospital proportion benefit dual eligible individuals eligible medicare medicaid ssa title xix order ensure hospitals treat vulnerable populations unfairly penalized directs medicare_payment_advisory_commission medpac study appropriateness threshold days program directs secretary promulgating regulations hospital reduction program consider use codes potential exclusions cases involving noncompliant patients promulgating applicable regulations


Summary:
Bundling and Coordinating Post-Acute Care Act of 2014 or the BACPAC Act of 2014 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require a single bundled payment for post-acute care services under Medicare parts A (Hospital Insurance) and B (Supplementary Medical Insurance).

Defines "PAC physician" as the physician with primary responsibility for supervising delivery to an individual of a post-acute care (PAC) bundle of services between a qualifying discharge and the earlier of: (1) 90 days later, or (2) the date on which the individual is admitted to a hospital to receive services for a condition unrelated to the one for which he or she received the acute care inpatient hospital services.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to: (1) establish a new Transitional Care Management (TCM) code, with respect to geographic adjustments to the physicians' fee schedule, to pay for care management by a PAC physician; or (2) revise and expand the use of existing TCM codes 99495 and 99494.

bundling coordinating post acute care act act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act require single bundled payment post acute care services medicare parts hospital insurance supplementary_medical_insurance defines pac physician physician primary responsibility supervising delivery individual post acute care pac bundle services qualifying discharge earlier days later date individual admitted hospital receive services condition unrelated received acute care inpatient hospital services directs secretary health_and_human_services hhs establish new transitional care management code respect geographic adjustments physicians fee schedule pay care management pac physician revise expand use existing codes


Summary:
Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a two-year pilot program under which: (1) eligible veterans may elect to receive hospital care and services at non-Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities, and (2) the Secretary shall reimburse such facilities for the cost of such care and services.

Defines an "eligible veteran" as a veteran who: (1) is enrolled in the VA's patient enrollment system, and (2) resides in a geographic area selected by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to select: (1) one geographic area within each Veterans Integrated Service Network, and (2) NJ-2 as the geographic area for participation in the pilot program for Veterans Integrated Service Network 4.

Requires the Secretary to: (1) issue a unique identification card to each eligible veteran who elects to receive hospital care and medical services at non-VA facilities under the pilot program, and (2) take steps to ensure that such veterans receive such care and services at such non-VA facilities.

directs secretary veterans_affairs carry year pilot program eligible veterans elect receive hospital care services non-department_of_veterans_affairs facilities secretary shall reimburse facilities cost care services defines eligible veteran veteran enrolled patient enrollment system resides geographic area selected secretary directs secretary select geographic area veterans_integrated_service_network geographic area participation pilot program veterans_integrated_service_network requires secretary issue unique identification card eligible veteran elects receive hospital care medical services non-va facilities pilot program steps ensure veterans receive care services non-va facilities


Summary:
Veterans' Health Care Flexibility Act - Allows veterans who are eligible to receive hospital care and medical services from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to elect to receive such care and services at non-VA facilities.

Directs the VA Secretary to contract with non-VA facilities to furnish hospital care and medical services to such veterans.

veterans health_care flexibility act allows veterans eligible receive hospital care medical services department_of_veterans_affairs elect receive care services non-va facilities directs secretary contract non-va facilities furnish hospital care medical services veterans


Summary: Medicare Transitional Care Act of 2014 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover transitional care services for qualified individuals provided by a transitional care clinician acting as an employee of a qualified transitional care entity, such as a hospital (or a critical care hospital), a home health agency, a primary care practice, a federally qualified health center or rural health clinic, a long-term care facility, a medical home, an appropriate community-based organization, an assisted living center, or an accountable care organization.

medicare transitional care act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act cover transitional care services qualified individuals provided transitional care acting employee qualified transitional care entity hospital critical care hospital home health agency primary care practice federally qualified health center rural health clinic long-term_care facility medical home appropriate community based organization assisted living center accountable care organization


Summary: Veterans Need Timely Access to Care Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to enter into contracts with such non-VA facilities as may be necessary to furnish hospital care or medical services to any veteran enrolled in the VA's patient enrollment system who: (1) has waited 7 days or longer for an appointment for primary care, or 14 days or longer for an appointment for speciality care, in a VA facility; and (2) elects to receive such care in a non-VA facility.

veterans need timely access care act_-_directs secretary veterans_affairs enter contracts non-va facilities necessary furnish hospital care medical services veteran enrolled patient enrollment system days longer appointment primary care days longer appointment speciality care facility elects receive care non-va facility


Summary: Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Extension Act of 2014 - Amends the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, as amended by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, to extend the rural community hospital demonstration program from five through 10 years.

rural community hospital demonstration extension act amends medicare_prescription_drug improvement modernization act amended patient_protection affordable care act extend rural community hospital demonstration program years


Summary: Medicare Access to Rural Anesthesiology Act of 2014 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) on a reasonable cost basis for anesthesia services furnished by a physician who is an anesthesiologist in certain rural hospitals in the same manner as payment is made for anesthesia services furnished by a certified registered nurse anesthetist in such hospitals.

medicare access rural act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act provide payment medicare hospital insurance reasonable cost basis anesthesia services furnished physician anesthesiologist certain rural hospitals manner payment anesthesia services furnished certified registered nurse anesthetist hospitals


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Veteran Access to Care Act of 2014 - (Sec. 2) Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to enter into contracts with such non-VA facilities as may be necessary to furnish hospital care and medical services to veterans who:

 have waited longer than the wait-time goals of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) (as of June 1, 2014) for an appointment for hospital care or medical services in a VA facility; have been notified by a VA facility that an appointment for hospital care or medical services is not available within such wait-time goals; or reside more than 40 miles from the VA medical facility, including a community-based outpatient clinic, that is closest to their residence. Allows eligible veterans who opt for hospital care or medical services in a non-VA facility to receive such care or services through the completion of the episode of care, but for no longer than 60 days.

Directs the Secretary to submit a quarterly report to Congress on the provision of such hospital care and medical services through contracts with non-VA facilities.

Terminates the Secretary's authority to contract with non-VA facilities for the provision of such care and services two years after this Act's enactment.

(Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary, to the extent that appropriations are available to the VHA for medical services, to reimburse non-VA facilities with which the VA does not have such a contract for providing hospital care and medical services to such veterans, if such care and services cannot be provided within the VHA's wait-time goals in a facility with which the VA has a contract. Sets the reimbursement rate for such care or services at the greatest of the VA, Medicare, or TRICARE (a Department of Defense [DOD] managed care program) payment rate for such care or services.

Terminates the Secretary's authority to reimburse non-VA facilities for the provision of such care and services two years after this Act's enactment.

(Sec. 4) Directs the Secretary, within 120 days of this Act's enactment, to enter into a contract or contracts with a private entity or entities with experience in VHA and private delivery systems and in health care management to conduct an independent assessment of the hospital care and medical services furnished in VA facilities.

Lists the factors that must be addressed in assessing veterans access to, and the quality of, hospital care and medical services in VA facilities.

Directs the Secretary to submit reports to the congressional veterans committees regarding: (1) the findings and recommendations of the independent assessment; and (2) the Secretary's response to those findings, including an action plan for fully implementing such recommendations.

(Sec. 5) Prohibits the Secretary from paying awards and bonuses to VA employees for FY2014-FY2016.

(Sec. 6) Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), within 30 days of this Act's enactment, to transmit to Congress:

 an estimate of the budgetary effects of this Act's coverage of hospital care and medical services for veterans in non-VA facilities; any transfer authority needed to utilize the savings from denying VA awards and bonuses to satisfy such budgetary effects; and a request, if necessary, for additional funding, or the transfer or reprogramming of existing funding, for this Act's coverage of the hospital care and medical services provided to veterans in non-VA facilities.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure veteran access care act sec directs secretary veterans_affairs enter contracts non-va facilities necessary furnish hospital care medical services veterans longer wait time goals veterans_health_administration vha june appointment hospital care medical services facility notified facility appointment hospital care medical services available wait time goals reside miles medical facility including community based outpatient clinic closest residence allows eligible veterans opt hospital care medical services non-va facility receive care services completion episode care longer days directs secretary submit quarterly report congress provision hospital care medical services contracts non-va facilities terminates secretary authority contract non-va facilities provision care services years act enactment sec directs secretary extent appropriations available vha medical services reimburse non-va facilities contract providing hospital care medical services veterans care services provided vha wait time goals facility contract sets reimbursement rate care services greatest medicare tricare department_of_defense dod managed care program payment rate care services terminates secretary authority reimburse non-va facilities provision care services years act enactment sec directs secretary days act enactment enter contract contracts private entity entities experience vha private delivery systems health_care management conduct independent assessment hospital care medical services furnished facilities lists factors addressed assessing veterans access quality hospital care medical services facilities directs secretary submit reports congressional veterans committees findings recommendations independent assessment secretary response findings including action plan fully implementing recommendations sec prohibits secretary paying awards bonuses employees fy2014-fy2016 sec requires director office_of_management_and_budget omb days act enactment transmit congress estimate budgetary effects act coverage hospital care medical services veterans non-va facilities transfer authority needed utilize savings denying awards bonuses satisfy budgetary effects request necessary additional funding transfer reprogramming existing funding act coverage hospital care medical services provided veterans non-va facilities


Summary: Ensuring Equal Access to Treatments Act of 2014 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, with respect to the prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department (OPD) services, to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create certain additional groups of covered OPD services that classify separately, from those that do not utilize such a drug, procedures that utilize a drug (other than contrast agents and diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals) that both has a cost above the drug packaging threshold and functions as a supply when used in a diagnostic test or procedure.

ensuring equal_access treatments act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act respect prospective payment system hospital outpatient department opd services direct secretary health_and_human_services hhs create certain additional groups covered opd services classify separately utilize drug procedures utilize drug agents diagnostic cost drug packaging threshold functions supply diagnostic test procedure


Summary:
Ask Veterans Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to contract with an experienced non-government entity to conduct an annual survey, over a five-year period, of a statistically significant sample of veterans who reside in the geographic area served by each VA medical facility to determine the experiences of such veterans in obtaining hospital care and medical services at such facility.

Requires those surveys to include questions relating to:

 the veteran's ability to obtain hospital care and medical services at the facility in a timely manner, the time that expires between the date the veteran requests an appointment and the date on which the appointment is scheduled, the frequency with which scheduled appointments are cancelled, and the quality of hospital care or medical services the veteran receives. Requires the non-government entity to consult with veterans service organizations in designing and conducting the surveys.

Prohibits the non-government entity from conducting a survey before the Comptroller General (GAO) certifies the survey as scientifically valid and the proposed sample size of veterans as statistically significant.

Directs the Secretary to make the results of the surveys publicly available on the VA's Internet website.

ask veterans act_-_directs secretary veterans_affairs contract experienced non government entity conduct annual survey year period statistically significant sample veterans reside geographic area served medical facility determine experiences veterans obtaining hospital care medical services facility requires surveys include questions relating veteran ability obtain hospital care medical services facility timely manner time expires date veteran requests appointment date appointment scheduled frequency scheduled appointments cancelled quality hospital care medical services veteran receives requires non government entity consult veterans service organizations designing conducting surveys prohibits non government entity conducting survey comptroller_general gao certifies survey scientifically valid proposed sample size veterans statistically significant directs secretary results surveys publicly available internet website


Summary:
Restoring Accountability in Veterans Access to Health Care Act - Directs the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to annually determine, and publish in the Federal Register, the five occupations of health care providers for which there is the largest staffing shortage throughout the VA. Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, based upon such determination, to recruit and appoint highly qualified health care providers to positions in those occupations.

Requires the Secretary to submit biennial reports assessing the staffing of each VA medical facility, including: (1) information on wait times and workload levels, (2) a plan to fill staffing shortages, and (3) an analysis of succession planning.

Directs the Secretary to implement a clinic management training program to provide in-person, standardized education on health care management to all managers of, and health care providers at, VA medical facilities, including training on how to: (1) manage the schedules of health care providers, (2) optimize the use of technology, (3) use data to meet the demand for health care, (4) use the VA appointment scheduling system, and (5) use physical plant space at VA facilities to ensure efficient flow and privacy for patients and staff.

restoring accountability veterans access health_care act_-_directs inspector_general department_of_veterans_affairs annually determine publish federal_register occupations health_care providers largest staffing shortage authorizes secretary veterans_affairs based determination recruit appoint highly qualified health_care providers positions occupations requires secretary submit biennial reports assessing staffing medical facility including information wait times workload levels plan fill staffing shortages analysis succession planning directs secretary implement clinic management training program provide person standardized education health_care management managers health_care providers medical facilities including training manage schedules health_care providers optimize use technology use data meet demand health_care use appointment scheduling system use physical plant space facilities ensure efficient flow privacy patients staff


Summary:
Jumpstart VA Construction Act - Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a 10-year pilot program of entering into partnership agreements on a competitive basis with appropriate non-federal entities for major authorized construction projects. Directs the Secretary to select 10 major medical facility projects authorized for the construction of a new facility for which: (1) Congress has appropriated funds, (2) the design and development phase is complete, and (3) construction has not begun as of the date of enactment of this Act. Requires four of such projects to be seismic-related projects and four to be community based outpatient clinic-related projects.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) appoint a non-Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) entity as the project manager of each project; (2) ensure that the project manager implements a project management plan to ensure concise and consistent communication of all parties involved; (3) work in cooperation with each participating non-federal entity to minimize multiple change orders; (4) develop metrics to monitor change order process times, with the intent of expediting any change order; and (5) monitor construction to ensure that it is in compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations and VA acquisition regulations and that the costs are reasonable.

jumpstart construction act_-_requires secretary veterans_affairs carry year pilot program entering partnership agreements competitive basis appropriate non federal entities major authorized construction projects directs secretary select major medical facility projects authorized construction new facility congress appropriated funds design development phase complete construction begun date enactment act requires projects seismic related projects community based outpatient clinic related projects directs secretary appoint non-department_of_veterans_affairs entity project manager project ensure project manager implements project management plan ensure concise consistent communication parties involved work cooperation participating non federal entity minimize multiple change orders develop metrics monitor change order process times intent expediting change order monitor construction ensure compliance federal acquisition regulations acquisition regulations costs reasonable


Summary:
Notice of Observation Treatment and Implication for Care Eligibility Act or the NOTICE Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require a hospital with an agreement with the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to give each individual entitled to benefits under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance), whom the hospital classifies for more than 24 hours as an outpatient under observation status or any other similar status, an adequate oral and written notification within 36 hours of that classification which:

 explains the individual's status as an outpatient under observation (or any similar status) and not as an inpatient; explains the reason for that classification; explains the implications of that outpatient status on eligibility for Medicare coverage of items and services as well as cost-sharing requirements; includes the name and title of the hospital staff who gave an oral notification and its date and time; and is signed by individual, if the notification is written, to acknowledge its receipt.

notice observation treatment care eligibility act notice act_-_amends title xviii medicare social_security_act require hospital agreement secretary health_and_human_services hhs individual entitled benefits medicare hospital insurance hospital classifies hours outpatient observation status similar status adequate oral written notification hours classification explains individual status outpatient observation similar status inpatient explains reason classification explains implications outpatient status eligibility medicare coverage items services cost sharing requirements includes title hospital staff gave oral notification date time signed individual notification written acknowledge receipt


Summary:
Expanding Access for Veterans' Service Animals Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) certified therapeutic animals should be provided the same access to facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as service animals, and (2) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs should implement a certification process for therapeutic animals that mitigate the effects of a medically diagnosed mental health condition.

Bars the Secretary from prohibiting any service animal that is allowed to access VA medical facilities from accessing the room of a patient who is receiving inpatient care at such a facility, including with respect to staying overnight. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe regulations to ensure the safety and health of VA employees, patients, and the public, including by requiring that a patient maintain responsibility for such animal.

expanding access veterans service animals act expresses sense congress certified therapeutic animals provided access facilities department_of_veterans_affairs service animals secretary veterans_affairs implement certification process therapeutic animals mitigate effects medically diagnosed mental health condition bars secretary prohibiting service animal allowed access medical facilities accessing room patient receiving inpatient care facility including respect staying overnight authorizes secretary prescribe regulations ensure safety health employees patients public including requiring patient maintain responsibility animal


Summary:
VA Credentialing and Privileging Improvement Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), within 30 days after a military health care provider requests privileges to provide hospital care or medical services in a VA medical facility, to approve such provider's credentials and grant such privileges, unless the Secretary can show cause for denying such privileges.

Defines "military health care provider" as a member of the Armed Forces who is: (1) a health care provider; (2) serving on active duty in, or in the process of being separated from, the Armed Forces; and (3) privileged to work in a military treatment facility.

credentialing improvement act_-_directs secretary veterans_affairs days military health_care provider requests privileges provide hospital care medical services medical facility approve provider credentials grant privileges secretary cause denying privileges defines military health_care provider member armed_forces health_care provider serving active duty process separated armed_forces privileged work military treatment facility


Summary:
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to prohibit any subsection (d) hospital located in an area which after September 30, 2014, is reclassified from a rural to an urban area from being required to waive the application of a wage index increase in order to be eligible for such reclassification for the first two fiscal years for which the reclassification from rural to urban is effective.

(Generally, a subsection [d] hospital is an acute care hospital, particularly one that receives payments under Medicare's inpatient prospective payment system [IPPS] when providing covered inpatient services to eligible beneficiaries.)

amends title xviii medicare social_security_act prohibit subsection hospital located area september reclassified rural urban area required waive application wage index increase order eligible reclassification fiscal years reclassification rural urban effective generally subsection hospital acute care hospital particularly receives payments medicare inpatient prospective payment system ipps providing covered inpatient services eligible beneficiaries


Summary:
Requires the Comptroller General (GAO) to study and report on the interoperability of computer systems used by hospitals to store and access electronic health records.

Requires the study to explore the ability of hospital computer systems to allow more than one hospital to access and update the electronic health records of the same patient, including: (1) the identity of hospitals that use computer systems with this ability, (2) reasons hospitals do not have computer systems with this ability, and (3) whether this ability allows hospitals to more effectively coordinate patient care.

requires comptroller_general gao study report interoperability computer systems hospitals store access electronic health records requires study explore ability hospital computer systems allow hospital access update electronic health records patient including identity hospitals use computer systems ability reasons hospitals computer systems ability ability allows hospitals effectively coordinate patient care


Summary:
Electronic Health Fairness Act of 2014 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to prohibit any patient encounter of an eligible professional occurring at an ambulatory surgical center from being treated as such an encounter in determining whether an eligible professional qualifies as a meaningful electronic health record (EHR) user.

Terminates this prohibition three years after the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) certifies EHR technology for the ambulatory surgical center setting.

electronic health fairness act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act prohibit patient encounter eligible professional occurring ambulatory surgical center treated encounter determining eligible professional qualifies meaningful electronic health record ehr user terminates prohibition years secretary health_and_human_services hhs certifies ehr technology ambulatory surgical center setting


Summary:
ACO Improvement Act of 2014 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to the shared savings program under which groups of service providers and suppliers meeting specified criteria may work together to manage and coordinate care for Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries through an accountable care organization (ACO).

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to permit an ACO that has elected a two-sided risk model to: (1) reduce or eliminate cost-sharing under Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) for some or all primary care services furnished by health care professionals within the ACO network; and (2) develop additional incentive programs to encourage patient engagement and participation in their own wellness.

Prescribes requirements for fostering stronger patient-provider ties.  Directs the Secretary to require a primary care ACO professional to provide the beneficiary with information concerning the ACO program as part of the initial preventive physical examination of the beneficiary.

Directs the Secretary to form a stakeholder group including representatives of ACOs, health care providers, Medicare beneficiaries, and ACO experts.  Requires such parties to advise the Secretary with recommendations to improve the process of ACO-to-beneficiary communication.

Prescribes requirements for regulatory relief for an ACO that has elected a two-sided risk model and for improving care coordinatiion through access to telehealth.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a demonstration project to test the use of payment benchmarks that take into account geographic area differences, (2) study the feasibility of establishing a system of electronic access of service providers and suppliers to in-process and complete patient claims data, (3) establish one or more demonstration programs to test the global capitation payment model, and (4) develop a mechanism to make permanent those ACO-related pilot programs that have been successful.

aco improvement act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act respect shared savings program groups service providers suppliers meeting specified criteria work manage coordinate care medicare fee service beneficiaries accountable care organization aco directs secretary health_and_human_services hhs permit aco elected risk model reduce eliminate cost sharing medicare supplementary_medical_insurance primary care services furnished health_care professionals aco network develop additional incentive programs encourage patient engagement participation wellness prescribes requirements fostering stronger patient provider ties directs secretary require primary care aco professional provide beneficiary information concerning aco program initial preventive physical examination beneficiary directs secretary form stakeholder group including representatives health_care providers medicare beneficiaries aco experts requires parties advise secretary recommendations improve process aco beneficiary communication prescribes requirements regulatory relief aco elected risk model improving care access telehealth directs secretary conduct demonstration project test use payment benchmarks account geographic area differences study feasibility establishing system electronic access service providers suppliers process complete patient claims data establish demonstration programs test global capitation payment model develop mechanism permanent aco related pilot programs successful


Summary:
Hospital Payment Fairness Act of 2013 - Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to sunset on October 1, 2013, the application of budget neutrality on a national basis in the calculation of the Medicare hospital wage index floor.

(PPACA requires application of the budget neutrality requirement associated with the effect of the imputed rural floor on the area wage index under the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 through a uniform national, instead of state-by-state, adjustment to the area hospital wage index floor.)

hospital payment fairness act amends patient_protection affordable care act ppaca sunset october application budget neutrality national basis calculation medicare hospital wage index floor ppaca requires application budget neutrality requirement associated effect imputed rural floor area wage index balanced_budget act uniform national instead state state adjustment area hospital wage index floor


Summary:
Amends the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 to extend from three to six years the frontier extended stay clinic demonstration project.

Sets April 15, 2014, as the deadline for the report to Congress on the project.

Makes appropriations for FY2013-FY2015 to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) for Rural Health Research/Policy Development within the Office of Rural Health Policy to support frontier extended stay clinics.

amends medicare_prescription_drug improvement modernization act extend years frontier extended stay clinic demonstration project sets april deadline report congress project makes appropriations fy2013 fy2015 secretary health_and_human_services hhs rural health research policy development office rural health policy support frontier extended stay clinics


Summary:
Strengthening Rural Access to Emergency Services Act - Amends title XVI of the Social Security Act to allow certain critical access hospitals and sole community hospitals to use interactive telecommunications systems to satisfy requirements for having a physician available to stabilize an individual with an emergency medical condition.

Limits this allowance to circumstances where: (1) the physician available by such interactive telecommunications system is board certified in emergency medicine or pediatric emergency medicine, and (2) a nurse practitioner or physician assistant is onsite in the emergency department.

strengthening rural access emergency services act_-_amends title xvi social_security_act allow certain critical access hospitals sole community hospitals use interactive telecommunications systems satisfy requirements having physician available stabilize individual emergency medical condition limits allowance circumstances physician available interactive telecommunications system board certified emergency medicine pediatric emergency medicine nurse practitioner physician assistant onsite emergency department


Summary: Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2013 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to count a period of receipt of outpatient observation services in a hospital toward the three-day inpatient hospital requirement for coverage of skilled nursing facility services under Medicare.

improving access medicare coverage act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act count period receipt outpatient observation services hospital day inpatient hospital requirement coverage skilled nursing facility services medicare


Summary:
Puerto Rico Hospital HITECH Amendments Act of 2013 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to apply Medicare HITECH (Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act) payments to subsection (d) hospitals in Puerto Rico to allow them to qualify for incentives for adoption and meaningful use of certified electronic health record (EHR) Technology.

(Generally, a subsection [d] hospital is an acute care hospital, particularly one that receives payments under Medicare's inpatient prospective payment system [IPPS] when providing covered inpatient services to eligible beneficiaries.)

puerto_rico hospital amendments act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act apply medicare health information technology economic clinical health act payments subsection hospitals puerto_rico allow qualify incentives adoption meaningful use certified electronic health record ehr technology generally subsection hospital acute care hospital particularly receives payments medicare inpatient prospective payment system ipps providing covered inpatient services eligible beneficiaries


Summary:
National Nursing Shortage Reform and Patient Advocacy Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require hospitals to implement a staffing plan that includes a minimum direct care registered nurse-to-patient ratio by unit, adjustments above the minimum ratio under appropriate circumstances, and compliance with minimum licensed practical nurse staffing requirements. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop a national acuity tool to establish nurse staffing requirements above minimum ratios.

Directs the Secretary to adjust Medicare payments to hospitals (including hospitals operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs [VA] and long-term care hospitals) to cover additional costs incurred in providing services to Medicare beneficiaries that are attributable to compliance with such ratios.

Gives a nurse the right to act as the patient's advocate, including by: (1) initiating action to improve health care or to change decisions or activities that are against the interests and wishes of the patient, and (2) giving the patient an opportunity to make an informed decision about health care before it is provided.

Authorizes a nurse to refuse to accept an assignment if it would violate minimum ratios under this Act or if the nurse is not prepared by education, training, or experience to fulfill the assignment without compromising the safety of any patient or jeopardizing the nurse's license. Prohibits a hospital from: (1) taking specified actions against a nurse based on the nurse's refusal to accept an assignment for such a reason; or (2) discriminating against any patient, employee, or any other individual for good faith complaints or grievances relating to the care, services, or conditions of the hospital or of any affiliated or related facilities. Prohibits actions by hospitals to restrain such rights.

Makes conforming amendments to titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act as well as to requirements for the VA health benefits program.

Includes stipends in the nurse workforce loan repayment and scholarship program. Expands the nurse retention grant program to authorize programs to implement nurse preceptorship and mentorship projects.

national nursing shortage reform patient advocacy act_-_amends public_health_service_act require hospitals implement staffing plan includes minimum direct care registered nurse patient ratio unit adjustments minimum ratio appropriate circumstances compliance minimum licensed practical nurse staffing requirements requires secretary health_and_human_services hhs develop national acuity tool establish nurse staffing requirements minimum ratios directs secretary adjust medicare payments hospitals including hospitals operated department_of_veterans_affairs long-term_care hospitals cover additional costs incurred providing services medicare beneficiaries attributable compliance ratios gives nurse right act patient advocate including initiating action improve health_care change decisions activities interests wishes patient giving patient opportunity informed decision health_care provided authorizes nurse refuse accept assignment violate minimum ratios act nurse prepared education training experience fulfill assignment compromising safety patient jeopardizing nurse license prohibits hospital taking specified actions nurse based nurse refusal accept assignment reason discriminating patient employee individual good faith complaints grievances relating care services conditions hospital affiliated related facilities prohibits actions hospitals restrain rights makes conforming amendments titles xviii medicare xix medicaid social_security_act requirements health benefits program includes stipends nurse workforce loan repayment scholarship program expands nurse retention grant program authorize programs implement nurse mentorship projects


Summary:
Treto Garza Far South Texas Veterans Inpatient Care Act of 2013 - Redesignates the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Center in Harlingen, Texas, as the "Treto Garza South Texas Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Center."

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) ensure that such Center includes a full-service inpatient health care facility, (2) modify the existing facility to meet such requirement, and (3) include in the annual VA strategic capital investment plan a project to expand the Center's capabilities to provide increased inpatient capacity, an urgent care center, and a full range of services for women veterans.

far south texas veterans inpatient care act redesignates department_of_veterans_affairs health_care center texas south texas department_of_veterans_affairs health_care center directs secretary veterans_affairs ensure center includes service inpatient health_care facility modify existing facility meet requirement include annual strategic capital investment plan project expand center capabilities provide increased inpatient capacity urgent care center range services women veterans


Summary: Rural Hospital Access Act of 2013 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend through FY2014: (1) the Medicare-dependent hospital program, and (2) increased payments under the Medicare low-volume hospital program.

rural hospital access act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act extend fy2014 medicare dependent hospital program increased payments medicare low volume hospital program


Summary:
Department of Veterans Affairs Disease Reporting and Oversight Act of 2013 - Requires the director of a Veterans Integrated Service Network, within 24 hours after confirming the presence of a notifiable infectious disease (any infectious disease that is either on a specified published list of nationally notifiable diseases or that is covered by a provision of law of a state that requires the reporting of infectious diseases) at a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facility under that director's jurisdiction, to notify: (1) the Central Office of the VA; (2) the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; (3) the state and county in which the facility is located; (4) each individual at the facility who has contracted the disease or is at risk of doing so, as well as the individual's next of kin, the individual's primary health care provider, and the county in which the individual resides; and (5) each VA employee of such facility. Requires such director to comply with any earlier notification required by the state concerned.

Requires such director to: (1) confirm receipt of such notification, (2) develop and implement an action plan to manage and control the potential spread of the disease, and (3) keep records of any such notifications for at least 10 years. Requires an annual report from the VA Inspector General to Congress on directors' compliance with the requirements of this Act. Provides for Inspector General enforcement and appropriate director disciplinary action with respect to such requirements.

Directs the Under Secretary for Health of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to issue a directive to the VHA's pathology team, infection prevention team, facilities management team, and other appropriate VHA groups on the actions to be taken when a notifiable infectious disease is discovered in a VHA facility.

department_of_veterans_affairs disease reporting oversight act requires director veterans_integrated_service_network hours confirming presence infectious disease infectious disease specified published list nationally diseases covered provision law state requires reporting infectious diseases department_of_veterans_affairs facility director jurisdiction notify central office director centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention state county facility located individual facility contracted disease risk individual kin individual primary health_care provider county individual resides employee facility requires director comply earlier notification required state concerned requires director confirm receipt notification develop implement action plan manage control potential spread disease records notifications years requires annual report inspector_general congress directors compliance requirements act provides inspector_general enforcement appropriate director disciplinary action respect requirements directs secretary health veterans_health_administration vha issue directive vha pathology team infection prevention team facilities management team appropriate vha groups actions taken infectious disease discovered vha facility


Summary: Health Care Safety Net Enhancement Act of 2013 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to deem a hospital or an emergency department and a physician or physician group of such hospital or emergency department to be an employee of the Public Health Service for purposes of any civil action that may arise due to providing emergency and post-stabilization services on or after January 1, 2014.

health_care safety net enhancement_act amends public_health_service_act deem hospital emergency department physician physician group hospital emergency department employee public_health_service purposes civil action arise providing emergency post stabilization services january


Summary:
Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality and Access Act of 2013 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require alignment of updates for ambulatory surgical center (ASC) services under a revised prospective payment system (PPS) with updates for hospital outpatient department (OPD) services.

Revises requirements for the reporting and applying of quality measure data by ASCs and hospital OPDs.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish an ASC value-based purchasing program under which each ASC that the Secretary determines meets (or exceeds) performance standards established, with respect to selected quality measures, for the performance period for a calendar year is eligible for shared savings in the form of a payment increase determined according to a specified formula.

Revises requirements for the composition of the expert outside advisory panel the Secretary is required to consult during the annual review of the clinical integrity of the groups and payment weights in the PPS for hospital OPD services. Requires the panel to include suppliers subject to the PPS as well as at least one ASC representative.

Requires the Secretary, when excluding from a final rule updating ASC lists a procedure whose inclusion was requested during the public comment period, to cite in the final rule specific criteria based on which the procedure was excluded. Requires the Secretary also to identify the peer reviewed research or the evidence upon which the exclusion is based if certain of those criteria are cited for it. Prohibits the Secretary from using or citing as a criterion or a basis for an exclusion that the procedure can only be reported using a Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) unlisted surgical procedure code.

ambulatory surgical center quality access act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act require alignment updates ambulatory surgical center services revised prospective payment system pps updates hospital outpatient department opd services revises requirements reporting applying quality measure data hospital directs secretary health_and_human_services hhs establish value based purchasing program secretary determines meets exceeds performance standards established respect selected quality measures performance period calendar year eligible shared savings form payment increase determined according specified formula revises requirements composition expert outside advisory_panel secretary required consult annual review clinical integrity groups payment weights pps hospital opd services requires panel include suppliers subject pps representative requires secretary excluding final rule updating lists procedure inclusion requested public comment period cite final rule specific criteria based procedure excluded requires secretary identify peer reviewed research evidence exclusion based certain criteria cited prohibits secretary criterion basis exclusion procedure reported current procedural terminology cpt surgical procedure code


Summary:
Medicaid Information Technology to Enhance Community Health Act of 2013 or MITECH Act - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to extend payments to encourage the adoption and use of certified electronic health record (EHR) technology to qualified safety net clinics (QSNCs).

Defines a QSNC as a clinic or network of clinics operated by a private non-profit or public entity at least 30% percent of whose patient volume is attributable to needy individuals.

Defines a "QSNC-based" individual as one who furnishes substantially all of his or her professional services in a QSNC and through use of the clinic's facilities and equipment, including qualified EHRs.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a procedure through which a QSNC may demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology in order to receive incentive payments.

medicaid information technology enhance community health act act_-_amends title xix medicaid social_security_act extend payments encourage adoption use certified electronic health record ehr technology qualified safety net clinics defines clinic network clinics operated private non profit public entity percent patient volume attributable needy individuals defines based individual furnishes substantially professional services use clinic facilities equipment including qualified directs secretary health_and_human_services hhs establish procedure demonstrate meaningful use certified ehr technology order receive incentive payments


Summary:
Rural Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2013 - Sets forth requirements for the first update of the Strategic Plan Refresh for Fiscal Years 2012 through 2014 after the enactment of this Act.

Requires the Director of the Office of Rural Health of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to prepare the update in consultation with the Director of the Health Care Retention and Recruitment Office, the Director of the Office of Quality and Performance, and the Director of the Office of Care Coordination Services of the Department.

Requires the update to include: (1) goals and objectives for the provision of health care in rural areas, including for recruiting and retaining health care personnel, ensuring timeliness and improving quality in the delivery of health care services through contract and fee-basis providers, implementing and enhancing the use of telemedicine services, ensuring the full and effective use of mobile outpatient clinics, and coordinating and sharing of resources among federal agencies; (2) procedures for soliciting from each Veterans Health Administration facility that serves a rural area a statement of the facility's clinical capacity, the facility's procedures in the event of an emergency outside the scope of such capacity, and the facility's procedures and mechanisms for the provision and coordination of health care for women veterans; and (3) modification of funding allocation mechanisms to ensure that the Office of Rural Health distributes funds to VA components to best achieve goals and objectives in a timely manner.

rural veterans health_care improvement act sets forth requirements update strategic plan fiscal years enactment act requires director office rural health department_of_veterans_affairs prepare update consultation director health_care retention recruitment office director office quality performance director office care coordination services department requires update include goals objectives provision health_care rural areas including recruiting retaining health_care personnel ensuring timeliness improving quality delivery health_care services contract fee basis providers implementing enhancing use telemedicine services ensuring effective use mobile outpatient clinics coordinating sharing resources federal agencies procedures soliciting veterans_health_administration facility serves rural area statement facility clinical capacity facility procedures event emergency outside scope capacity facility procedures mechanisms provision coordination health_care women veterans modification funding allocation mechanisms ensure office rural health distributes funds components best achieve goals objectives timely manner


Summary:
Behavioral Health Information Technology Act of 2013 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to include as a health care provider behavioral and mental health professionals, substance abuse professionals, psychiatric hospitals, certain community mental health centers (including one operated by a county behavioral health agency), and residential or outpatient mental health or substance abuse treatment facilities.

Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA), with respect to incentives for meaningful use of certified electronic health records (EHR) technology under the pay schedule for physician's services, to include as additional eligible professionals clinical psychologists providing qualified psychologist services and clinical social workers. Subjects any additional eligible professionals, including those under a MedicareAdvantage (MA) plan, to reductions in incentive payments after a certain date for failure to be a meaningful EHR user.

Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to treat as Medicaid providers the following additional Medicaid providers: (1) public and certain private hospitals that are principally psychiatric hospitals, (2) certain community mental health centers, and (3) certain residential or outpatient mental health or substance abuse treatment facilities.

Makes eligible professionals under the Medicaid program certain clinical psychologists providing qualified psychologist services and certain clinical social workers.

behavioral health information technology act amends public_health_service_act include health_care provider behavioral mental health professionals substance abuse professionals psychiatric hospitals certain community mental health centers including operated county behavioral health agency residential outpatient mental health substance abuse treatment facilities amends title xviii medicare social_security_act ssa respect incentives meaningful use certified electronic health records ehr technology pay schedule physician services include additional eligible professionals clinical psychologists providing qualified psychologist services clinical social workers subjects additional eligible professionals including medicareadvantage plan reductions incentive payments certain date failure meaningful ehr user amends ssa title xix medicaid treat medicaid providers following additional medicaid providers public certain private hospitals principally psychiatric hospitals certain community mental health centers certain residential outpatient mental health substance abuse treatment facilities makes eligible professionals medicaid program certain clinical psychologists providing qualified psychologist services certain clinical social workers


Summary:
DSH Reduction Relief Act of 2013 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to delay from FY2014 to FY2016 commencement of the period during which the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) is required to pay to any "subsection (d) hospital": (1) 25% of the amount of the disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payment that would otherwise be made to it for the fiscal year, plus (2) an additional payment amount according to a specified formula.

(Generally, a subsection [d] hospital is an acute care hospital, particularly one that receives payments under Medicare's inpatient prospective payment system [IPPS] when providing covered inpatient services to eligible beneficiaries.)

Amends SSA title XIX (Medicaid) to delay from the beginning of FY2014 until the beginning of FY2016 (and so eliminate for FY2014 and FY2015) aggregate reductions in DSH allotments for all states.

Maintains the FY2022 DSH allotment to states under Medicaid for FY2023, with an adjustment for inflation.

dsh reduction relief_act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act ssa delay fy2014 fy2016 commencement period secretary health_and_human_services hhs required pay subsection hospital disproportionate share hospital dsh payment fiscal year plus additional payment according specified formula generally subsection hospital acute care hospital particularly receives payments medicare inpatient prospective payment system ipps providing covered inpatient services eligible beneficiaries amends ssa title xix medicaid delay beginning fy2014 beginning fy2016 eliminate fy2014 fy2015 aggregate reductions dsh allotments states maintains fy2022 dsh allotment states medicaid fy2023 adjustment inflation


Summary: Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to: (1) submit to Congress a plan to introduce pay-for-performance mechanisms into contracts which compensate Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) contractors for the provision of veterans' health care services through community-based outpatient clinics (clinics), (2) commence plan implementation within 60 days after submission, and (3) report semiannually to Congress on the feasibility and advisability of utilizing such mechanisms in the provision of VA health care services by means in addition to such clinics.

veterans health_care improvement act directs secretary veterans_affairs submit congress plan introduce pay performance mechanisms contracts compensate department_of_veterans_affairs contractors provision veterans health_care services community based outpatient clinics clinics commence plan implementation days submission report semiannually congress feasibility advisability utilizing mechanisms provision health_care services means addition clinics


Summary:
Healthcare Privacy and Anti-Fraud Act - Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to issue guidance (including concerning liability) to protect the privacy of individually identifiable information submitted to, or accessed by, health care exchange navigators.

Requires entities receiving grants under the navigator program to ensure that their employees undergo background checks, take an oath not to disclose individually identifiable information, and meet educational and licensure requirements comparable to those applicable to health insurance agents and brokers in the state.

Imposes criminal penalties for disclosure of individually identifiable information and misrepresentation as a navigator.

Directs the Secretary to annually make available a list of entities providing navigator services and a list of those determined to be ineligible or convicted of offenses described in this Act. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt individuals from the penalty for not maintaining minimum essential coverage for any month if the failure resulted from advice of a navigator or a person purporting to provide such services.

healthcare privacy anti fraud act_-_amends patient_protection affordable care act require secretary health_and_human_services hhs issue guidance including concerning liability protect privacy individually identifiable information submitted accessed health_care exchange navigators requires entities receiving grants navigator program ensure employees undergo background checks oath disclose individually identifiable information meet educational licensure requirements comparable applicable health insurance agents brokers state imposes criminal penalties disclosure individually identifiable information misrepresentation navigator directs secretary annually available list entities providing navigator services list determined ineligible convicted offenses described act amends_the_internal_revenue_code exempt individuals penalty maintaining minimum essential coverage month failure resulted advice navigator person purporting provide services