Bill > S1776

This bill aims to reduce out-of-pocket costs for Medicare beneficiaries receiving certain surgical procedures in ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs). Specifically, the bill limits the coinsurance (the percentage of costs a patient must pay) for facility services related to surgical procedures. If the coinsurance would normally exceed the annual inpatient hospital deductible amount, the bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to reduce the coinsurance to match the deductible amount and then reimburse the healthcare provider for the difference. This means patients would pay no more than the standard hospital deductible for these specific surgical center services, potentially making certain outpatient surgical procedures more affordable for Medicare recipients. The changes would take effect on January 1, 2026, giving healthcare providers and Medicare administrators time to implement the new coinsurance limitation. The bill modifies Section 1833 of the Social Security Act, which governs Medicare payment rules, to achieve this cost-reduction goal for patients.

Budget and Finance

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1776/all-info