TITLE VI--PROVISIONS RELATING TO PART B
Subtitle B--Preventive Services
SEC. 612. COVERAGE OF CARDIOVASCULAR SCREENING BLOOD TESTS.
(a) COVERAGE- Section 1861(s)(2) (42 U.S.C.
1395x(s)(2)), as amended by section 611(a), is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (V)(iii), by striking
`and' at the end;
(2) in subparagraph (W), by inserting
`and' at the end; and
(3) by adding at the end the following
new subparagraph:
`(X) cardiovascular screening blood tests (as defined in subsection
(xx)(1));'.
(b) SERVICES DESCRIBED- Section 1861 (42 U.S.C.
1395x) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
`Cardiovascular Screening Blood Test
`(xx)(1) The term `cardiovascular screening blood test' means a blood test
for the early detection of cardiovascular disease (or abnormalities associated
with an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease) that tests for the
following:
`(A) Cholesterol levels and other lipid or triglyceride levels.
`(B) Such other indications associated with the presence of, or an
elevated risk for, cardiovascular disease as the Secretary may approve for
all individuals (or for some individuals determined by the Secretary to be
at risk for cardiovascular disease), including indications measured by
noninvasive testing.
The Secretary may not approve an indication under subparagraph (B) for any
individual unless a blood test for such is recommended by the United States
Preventive Services Task Force.
`(2) The Secretary shall establish standards, in consultation with
appropriate organizations, regarding the frequency for each type of
cardiovascular screening blood tests, except that such frequency may not be
more often than once every 2 years.'.
(c) FREQUENCY- Section 1862(a)(1) (42 U.S.C.
1395y(a)(1)), as amended by section 611(d), is amended--
(1) by striking `and' at the end of
subparagraph (J);
(2) by striking the semicolon at the
end of subparagraph (K) and inserting `, and'; and
(3) by adding at the end the following
new subparagraph:
`(L) in the case of cardiovascular screening blood tests (as defined in
section 1861(xx)(1)), which are performed more frequently than is covered
under section 1861(xx)(2);'.
(d) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments made by
this section shall apply to tests furnished on or after January 1, 2005.
