SOS: Sustaining Outpatient Services Act

SOS: Sustaining Outpatient Services Act

This bill allows for payment under the Medicare prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services of certain items and services that are furnished at off-campus outpatient departments. Specifically, the bill allows for payment of items and services for which payments to physician specialists (under the Medicare physician fee schedule) did not exceed $2 million during the previous year.

Bill 118 hr 955, also known as the SOS: Sustaining Outpatient Services Act, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The main goal of this bill is to provide funding and support for outpatient services in healthcare facilities across the country.

The bill aims to address the growing need for outpatient services, which are essential for providing care to patients who do not require overnight hospitalization. By sustaining and expanding these services, the bill seeks to improve access to healthcare for all Americans, particularly those in underserved communities.

Specifically, the SOS Act would allocate funding to outpatient facilities to help cover the costs of staffing, equipment, and other resources needed to provide high-quality care. Additionally, the bill includes provisions to incentivize healthcare providers to offer a wider range of outpatient services, such as telemedicine and preventive care. Overall, the SOS: Sustaining Outpatient Services Act is a bipartisan effort to strengthen the healthcare system and ensure that all Americans have access to the care they need. Supporters of the bill argue that investing in outpatient services will not only improve patient outcomes but also reduce healthcare costs in the long run.