WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Tom Rice (R-S.C.), Matt Cartwright (D-Pa.), and Lynn Jenkins (R- Kan.) re-introduced the Audiology Patient Choice Act (H.R. 2276) into the U.S. House of Representatives this week, to help “streamline an outdated Medicare policy by giving patients direct access to audiologists without requiring referral from a medical doctor”.
“Medicare users, who are suffering from a hearing disorder, should be able to receive medical attention from an audiologist of their choosing without any hoops to jump through,” said Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins. “The Audiology Patient Choice Act will help solve this particular issue by allowing our seniors to directly choose their audiologist without a written recommendation from a medical doctor. This will create more choices and freedoms for our seniors – a commonsense, bipartisan solution.”
Allowing Medicare Patients Direct Access to Audiology Care
The re-introduced bill would remove currently existing barriers and allow Medicare Part B patients to go directly to an audiologist without having to first be referred by a medical doctor. Further, the bill would allow for expanded coverage to include all Medicare-covered audiologic services that audiologists are licensed to provide, including vestibular rehabilitation, cerumen removal, and aural rehabilitation.
“My goal is to create policies that give South Carolinians and all Americans access to high quality, efficient health care services under Medicare. The Audiology Patient Choice Act will cut red tape and streamline policy so that Medicare patients can receive necessary care in a more convenient way.”
–Rep. Tom Rice (R-S.C.)
The newly reintroduced bill has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee for further action.
Source: Office of Rep. Tom Rice
