SOS: Sustaining Outpatient Services Act

3/12/2024, 11:33 AM

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 s 1849, 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, which are essential for individuals who require medical treatment but do not need to be admitted to a hospital.

The bill aims to address the growing need for outpatient services by increasing funding for programs that provide these services, such as community health centers and outpatient clinics. It also seeks to improve access to these services for underserved populations, including low-income individuals and those living in rural areas.

Additionally, the SOS Act includes provisions to enhance the quality of outpatient care by promoting best practices and standards of care. This includes measures to improve coordination of care between different providers and ensure that patients receive the appropriate level of treatment for their needs. Overall, the SOS: Sustaining Outpatient Services Act is a bipartisan effort to support and strengthen outpatient services in the United States. By providing funding, improving access, and promoting quality care, this bill aims to ensure that individuals can receive the medical treatment they need in a timely and effective manner.
Congress
118

Number
S - 1849

Introduced on
2023-06-07

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

6/7/2023

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

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 s 1849, 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, which are essential for individuals who require medical treatment but do not need to be admitted to a hospital.

The bill aims to address the growing need for outpatient services by increasing funding for programs that provide these services, such as community health centers and outpatient clinics. It also seeks to improve access to these services for underserved populations, including low-income individuals and those living in rural areas.

Additionally, the SOS Act includes provisions to enhance the quality of outpatient care by promoting best practices and standards of care. This includes measures to improve coordination of care between different providers and ensure that patients receive the appropriate level of treatment for their needs. Overall, the SOS: Sustaining Outpatient Services Act is a bipartisan effort to support and strengthen outpatient services in the United States. By providing funding, improving access, and promoting quality care, this bill aims to ensure that individuals can receive the medical treatment they need in a timely and effective manner.
Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedA bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to allow payments under the Medicare program for certain items and services furnished by off-campus outpatient departments of a provider to be determined under the prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services, and for other purposes.

Policy Areas
Health

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary10/20/2023

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...


Latest Action6/7/2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.