1.
This Act may be cited as the
Screening Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
Very Efficiently Act of 2005
.
2.
Medicare coverage of ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic
aneurysms
(a)
Section
1861 of the Social Security
Act (42
U.S.C. 1395x) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (s)(2)—
(A)
by striking and
at the end of subparagraph
(Y);
(B)
by adding and
at the end of subparagraph (Z);
and
(C)
by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
(AA)
ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (as defined
in subsection (bbb)) for an individual who has not been previously furnished
such ultrasound screening and who—
(i)
has a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysm;
(ii)
manifests risk factors for cardiovascular disease (such as
smoking or hypertension);
(iii)
evidences arthrosclerotic vascular disease; or
(iv)
has other risk factors for abdominal aortic aneurysm as the
Secretary may specify;
;
and
(2)
by adding at the end the following new subsection:
(bbb)
Ultrasound screening
for abdominal aortic aneurysmThe term ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic
aneurysm means—
(1)
a procedure using sound waves (or such other procedures using
alternative technologies, of commensurate accuracy and cost, that the Secretary
may specify) for the early detection of abdominal aortic aneurysm; and
(2)
includes a physician’s interpretation of the results of the
procedure.
.
(b)
Inclusion of ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm
in screening services for which education, counseling, and referral is provided
for under benefits for initial preventive physical examination
Section 1861(ww)(2) of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1395x(ww)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:
(L)
Ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm as defined
in section 1861(bbb).
.
(c)
Payment for ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic
aneurysm
Section 1848(j)(3) of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1395w–4(j)(3)) is amended by inserting (2)(AA)
after (2)(W)
.
(d)
Frequency and quality standards
Section 1862(a)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1395m(a)(1)) is amended—
(1)
by striking and
at the end of subparagraph
(L);
(2)
by striking the semicolon at the end of subparagraph (M) and
inserting ; and
; and
(3)
by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
(N)
in the case of ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic
aneurysm—
(i)
which is performed more frequently than is provided for under
section 1861(s)(2)(AA); or
(ii)
which is performed by an individual or diagnostic laboratory
that does not meet quality assurance standards established by the Secretary,
including with respect to individuals performing ultrasound screening for
abdominal aortic aneurysm (other than physicians) and diagnostic laboratories,
that the individual or laboratory is certified by the appropriate State
licensing or certification agency or, in the case of service performed in a
State that does not license or certify such individuals or laboratories, by a
national certification or accreditation organization recognized by the
Secretary.
.
(e)
Non-Application of part B
deductible
Section 1833(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1395l(b)) is amended—
(1)
by striking and
after section
1861(jj)),
; and
(2)
by inserting , and (7) such deductible shall not apply
with respect to ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (as defined
in section 1861(bbb))
after 1861(nn))
.
(f)
Consultation in establishment of quality assurance standards
and designation of recognition of national accreditation organizations
The Secretary shall consult with national medical, vascular
technologist, and sonographer societies in establishing—
(1)
risk factors under
section
1861(s)(2)(AA)(iv) of the Social
Security Act, as added by subsection (a)(1)(C); and
(2)
quality assurance standards under section 1862(a)(1)(N)(ii) of
such Act, as added by subsection (d)(3).
(g)
The amendments made by this section shall apply to ultrasounds
screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm performed on or after January 1,
2006.
3.
National educational and information campaign
(a)
After consultation with national medical, vascular technologist,
and sonographer societies, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall
carry out a national education and information campaign to promote awareness
among health care practitioners and the general public with respect to the
importance of early detection and treatment of abdominal aortic
aneurysms.
(b)
The Secretary may use amounts appropriated pursuant to this
section to make grants to national medical, vascular technologist, and
sonographer societies (in accordance with procedures and criteria specified by
the Secretary) to enable them to educate practitioners and providers about
matters relating to such aneurysms.
(c)Authorization
of appropriationsThere is authorized to be appropriated for
fiscal year 2006 and each fiscal year thereafter such sums as may be necessary
to carry out this section.