“A bill to amend title XI of the Social Security Act to lower barriers to increase patient access to health care.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section adds an exception to the anti-kickback statute (42 U.S.C. 1320a-7b(b)(3)) for remuneration paid by a Medicare provider of services (i.e., hospitals, SNFs, etc., per 42 U.S.C. 1395x(u)) or supplier to an information service provider (i.e., an entity operating a web-based platform providing consumers—individuals searching for such providers or suppliers—with provider- and supplier-specific information), provided the information service provider (1) does not steer consumers based on payment amounts, provide medical services or assessments, share consumer contact information except to the selected provider/supplier, arrange transportation or other remuneration to beneficiaries, or engage in targeted marketing to non-interacting consumers; (2) receives advance-written, fair market value compensation specified in writing that does not vary based on federal program volume or value; (3) discloses financial arrangements to consumers; (4) furnishes information based solely on objective, consumer-centric criteria; (5) applies objective, non-exclusionary participation criteria; and (6) meets other Secretary-determined conditions. The section also defines consumer and information service provider for this purpose. (Thus, the exception permits payments to neutral online platforms facilitating consumer-driven provider selection without inducing federal health care program referrals.)