Providing coverage for vision care under the Medicare program

(a)

Coverage

Section 1861(s)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(s)(2)) is amended—(1)in subparagraph (GG), by striking and after the semicolon at the end;(2)in subparagraph (HH), by striking the period at the end and adding ; and; and(3)by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(II)vision services (as defined in subsection (lll));

(b)

Vision services defined

Section 1861 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(lll)

Vision services

The term vision services means—(1)routine eye examinations to determine the refractive state of the eyes, including procedures performed during the course of such examination; and(2)contact lens fitting services;

furnished on or after January 1, 2024, by or under the direct supervision of an optometrist or ophthalmologist who is legally authorized to furnish such examinations, procedures, or fitting services (as applicable) under State law (or the State regulatory mechanism provided by State law) of the State in which the examinations, procedures, or fitting services are furnished.

(c)

Payment; coinsurance; and limitations

(1)

In general

Section 1833(a)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l(a)(1)) is amended—(A)by striking and before (DD); and(B)by inserting before the semicolon at the end the following: , and (EE) with respect to vision services (as defined in section 1861(lll)), the amount paid shall be equal to 80 percent of the lesser of the actual charge or the amount determined under the payment basis determined under section 1848.(2)

Limits specified

Section 1834 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(z)

Limitation for vision services

With respect to vision services (as defined in section 1861(lll)) and an individual, payment may be made under this part for only 1 routine eye examination described in paragraph (1) of such section and 1 contact lens fitting service described in paragraph (2) of such section during a 1-year period.

(d)

Payment under physician fee schedule

(1)

In general

Section 1848(j)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–4(j)(3)) is amended by inserting (2)(II), before (3).(2)

Budget neutrality

Section 1848(c)(2)(B)(iv) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395–w(c)(2)(B)(iv)) is amended—(A)in subclause (III), by striking and at the end;(B)in subclause (IV), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and(C)by adding at the end the following new subclause:

(V)the amendment made by section 2(d)(1) of the Medicare Vision Act of 2021 shall not be taken into account in applying clause (ii)(II) for 2024 and 2025.

(e)

Coverage of conventional eyeglasses and contact lenses

Section 1861(s)(8) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(s)(8)) is amended by striking , and including one pair of conventional eyeglasses or contact lenses furnished subsequent to each cataract surgery with insertion of an intraocular lens and inserting , including one pair of conventional eyeglasses or contact lenses furnished subsequent to each cataract surgery with insertion of an intraocular lens, if furnished before January 1, 2024, and including conventional eyeglasses or contact lenses, whether or not furnished subsequent to such a surgery, if furnished on or after January 1, 2024.(f)

Special payment rules for eyeglasses and contact lenses

(1)

Limitations

Section 1834(h) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(h)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(6)

Payment limitations for eyeglasses and contact lenses

(A)

In general

With respect to eyeglasses and contact lenses furnished to an individual on or after January 1, 2024, subject to subparagraph (B), payment may be made under this part only—(i)during a 1-year period, for either 1 pair of eyeglasses (including lenses and frames) or a 1-year supply that is provided in not more than 180-day increments of contact lenses;(ii)with respect to amounts attributable to the frames of such a pair of eyeglasses and amounts attributable to contact lenses furnished during a year, in an amount not greater than—(I)for 2024, $100; and(II)for a subsequent year, the amount specified under this subparagraph for the previous year, increased by the percentage change in the consumer price index for all urban consumers during such previous year;(iii)for types of eyeglass lenses, and for types of contact lenses, as determined appropriate by the Secretary;(iv)if furnished pursuant to a written order of a physician described in section 1861(kkk); and(v)if during the 1-year period described in clause (i), the individual did not already receive (as described in subparagraph (B)) one pair of conventional eyeglasses or contact lenses subsequent to a cataract surgery with insertion of an intraocular lens furnished during such period.(B)

Exception

With respect to a 1-year period described in subparagraph (A)(i), in the case of an individual who receives cataract surgery with insertion of an intraocular lens, notwithstanding subparagraph (A), payment may be made under this part for one pair of conventional eyeglasses or contact lenses furnished subsequent to such cataract surgery during such period.

(2)

Application of competitive acquisition

(A)

In general

Section 1834(h)(1)(H) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(h)(1)(H)) is amended—(i)in the header by inserting

, eyeglasses, and contact lenses

after

orthotics

;(ii)by inserting and of eyeglasses and contact lenses described in paragraph (2)(D) of such section, after 2009,; and(iii)in clause (i), by inserting or such eyeglasses and contact lenses after orthotics.(B)

Conforming amendment

(i)

In general

Section 1847(a)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–3(a)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(D)

Eyeglasses and contact lenses

Eyeglasses and contact lenses for which payment would otherwise be made under section 1834(h).

(ii)

Exemption of certain items from competitive acquisition

Section 1847(a)(7) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–3(a)(7)) is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(C)

Certain eyeglasses and contact lenses

Those items and services described in paragraph (2)(D) if furnished by a physician or other practitioner (as defined by the Secretary) to the physician’s or practitioner’s own patients as part of the physician’s or practitioner’s professional service.

(g)

Exclusion modifications

Section 1862(a)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395y(a)) is amended—(1)in subparagraph (O), by striking and at the end;(2)in subparagraph (P), by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting , and; and(3)by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(Q)in the case of vision services (as defined in section 1861(lll)) that are routine eye examinations and contact lens fitting services (as described in paragraph (1) or (2), respectively, of such section), which are furnished more frequently than once during a 1-year period;

(h)

Repeal of ground for exclusion

Section 1862(a)(7) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395y(a)(7)) is amended by striking , eyeglasses (other than eyewear described in section 1861(s)(8)) or eye examinations for the purpose of prescribing, fitting, or changing eyeglasses, procedures performed (during the course of any eye examination) to determine the refractive state of the eyes.(i)

Low vision aids

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall, in consultation with relevant stakeholders—(1)undergo a review and analysis of clinically indicated magnifiers, spectacles, and other similar vision enhancement devices used to assist individuals with low vision and visual impairments;(2)based on such review identify such specific devices that are not, but which pursuant to administrative action could be, covered under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act coverage; and(3)take such administrative actions as are necessary to provide for such coverage of such devices so identified as the Secretary determines appropriate.