TITLE V--PROVISIONS RELATING TO PART A
Subtitle B--Other Provisions
SEC. 513. STUDY ON PORTABLE DIAGNOSTIC ULTRASOUND SERVICES
FOR BENEFICIARIES IN SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES.
(a) STUDY- The Comptroller General of the United
States shall conduct a study of portable diagnostic ultrasound services furnished
to medicare beneficiaries in skilled nursing facilities. Such study shall consider
the following:
(1) TYPES OF EQUIPMENT; TRAINING- The
types of portable diagnostic ultrasound services furnished to such beneficiaries,
the types of portable ultrasound equipment used to furnish such services,
and the technical skills, or training, or both, required for technicians to
furnish such services.
(2) CLINICAL APPROPRIATENESS- The clinical
appropriateness of transporting portable diagnostic ultrasound diagnostic
and technicians to patients in skilled nursing facilities as opposed to transporting
such patients to a hospital or other facility that furnishes diagnostic ultrasound
services.
(3) FINANCIAL IMPACT- The financial
impact if Medicare were make a separate payment for portable ultrasound diagnostic
services, including the impact of separate payments--
(A) for transportation and
technician services for residents during a resident in a part A stay, that
would otherwise be paid for under the prospective payment system for covered
skilled nursing facility services (under section 1888(e) of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. 1395yy(e)); and
(B) for such services for residents
in a skilled nursing facility after a part A stay.
(4) CREDENTIALING REQUIREMENTS- Whether
the Secretary should establish credentialing or other requirements for technicians
that furnish diagnostic ultrasound services to medicare beneficiaries.
(b) REPORT- Not later than 2 years after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress
a report on the study conducted under subsection (a), and shall include any
recommendations for legislation or administrative change as the Comptroller
General determines appropriate.
