Bill 118 hr 5389, also known as the National Coverage Determination Transparency Act, aims to increase transparency in the process of determining which medical treatments and services are covered by Medicare. The bill requires the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to make public all national coverage determinations (NCDs) within 30 days of finalizing them.
NCDs are decisions made by CMS about whether Medicare will cover a particular medical treatment, procedure, or service. These determinations can have a significant impact on patients, providers, and healthcare organizations. By making NCDs public, the bill seeks to ensure that stakeholders have access to information about which treatments are covered by Medicare and why.
The bill also requires CMS to provide a detailed explanation of the evidence and reasoning behind each NCD, as well as any input received from stakeholders during the decision-making process. This information will help patients and providers understand the basis for CMS's coverage decisions and allow them to advocate for changes if necessary.
Overall, the National Coverage Determination Transparency Act aims to promote accountability and transparency in the Medicare coverage determination process. By making NCDs public and providing detailed explanations of the decision-making process, the bill seeks to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries have access to the information they need to make informed decisions about their healthcare.