TITLE VI--PROVISIONS RELATING TO PART B
Subtitle D--Additional Demonstrations, Studies, and Other Provisions
SEC. 645. STUDIES RELATING TO VISION IMPAIRMENTS.
(a) COVERAGE OF OUTPATIENT VISION SERVICES
FURNISHED BY VISION REHABILITATION PROFESSIONALS UNDER PART B-
(1) STUDY- The Secretary shall conduct
a study to determine the feasibility and advisability of providing for payment
for vision rehabilitation services furnished by vision rehabilitation professionals.
(2) REPORT- Not later than January
1, 2005, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the study conducted
under paragraph (1) together with recommendations for such legislation or
administrative action as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(3) VISION REHABILITATION PROFESSIONAL
DEFINED- In this subsection, the term `vision rehabilitation professional'
means an orientation and mobility specialist, a rehabilitation teacher, or
a low vision therapist.
(b) REPORT ON APPROPRIATENESS OF A DEMONSTRATION
PROJECT TO TEST FEASIBILITY OF USING PPO NETWORKS TO REDUCE COSTS OF ACQUIRING
EYEGLASSES FOR MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES AFTER CATARACT SURGERY- Not later than
1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit
to Congress a report on the feasibility of establishing a two-year demonstration
project under which the Secretary enters into arrangements with vision care
preferred provider organization networks to furnish and pay for conventional
eyeglasses subsequent to each cataract surgery with insertion of an intraocular
lens on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries. In such report, the Secretary shall
include an estimate of potential cost savings to the Medicare program through
the use of such networks, taking into consideration quality of service and beneficiary
access to services offered by vision care preferred provider organization networks.
