Prevent Interruptions in Physical Therapy Act of 2019

I 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. R. 5453 To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to add physical therapists to the list of providers allowed to utilize locum tenens arrangements under Medicare. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DECEMBER 17, 2019 Mr. LUJA´N (for himself and Mr. BILIRAKIS) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subse- quently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to add physical therapists to the list of providers allowed to utilize locum tenens arrangements under Medicare. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- 1 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 2 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 3 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Prevent Interruptions 4 in Physical Therapy Act of 2019’’. 5 VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:09 Dec 27, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H5453.IH H5453 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •HR 5453 IH SEC. 2. ALLOWING PHYSICAL THERAPISTS TO UTILIZE 1 LOCUM TENENS ARRANGEMENTS UNDER 2 MEDICARE. 3 (a) IN GENERAL.—The first sentence of section 4 1842(b)(6) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 5 1395u(b)(6)) is amended by striking ‘‘, and (J)’’ and all 6 that follows through ‘‘physicians’ services furnished by 7 physicians.’’ and inserting ‘‘, and (J) in the case of out- 8 patient physical therapy services furnished by physical 9 therapists, subparagraph (D) of this sentence shall apply 10 to such services and therapists in the same manner as 11 such subparagraph applies to physicians’ services fur- 12 nished by physicians.’’. 13 (b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by 14 subsection (a) shall apply to items and services furnished 15 after the date of the enactment of this Act. 16 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:09 Dec 27, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\H5453.IH H5453 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS