Bill > S2497

This bill, known as the "Fair Billing Act," aims to improve transparency and accountability for off-campus outpatient departments by requiring them to obtain a separate unique health identifier and submit attestations about their compliance with provider-based status regulations. Starting January 1, 2026, these departments will need to: (1) use a distinct healthcare provider identifier separate from their main provider's identifier when billing Medicare, (2) submit an initial attestation within the two years prior to service that confirms compliance with federal regulations, and (3) submit subsequent attestations within a timeframe specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The Secretary must establish a process for submitting and reviewing these attestations through rulemaking, which may include site visits or remote audits. An off-campus outpatient department is defined as a provider department not located on the main campus or within a specified distance of a hospital facility. Additionally, by January 1, 2030, the HHS Inspector General must analyze the review process and provide recommendations to Congress, ensuring ongoing oversight and potential improvements to the new requirements.

Budget and Finance

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2497/all-info