Improving Our Well-Being Act of 2002

Summary

Improving Our Well-Being Act of 2002 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to eliminate the geographic physician work adjustment factor from geographic indices used to adjust payments under the Medicare physician fee schedule. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on differences in payment amounts under the Medicare physician fee schedule for physicians' services in different geographic areas. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish procedures under which the Secretary, and not the physician furnishing a service, is responsible for determining when a Medicare incentive payment must be made. Increases the amount of payment to certain non-teaching hospitals for inpatient hospital services during FY 2003 through 2005 according to a specified formula. Revises the Medicare payment rate for hospitals in areas other than large urban areas to reflect the full market basket increase without the 0.55 percentage point reduction currently required. Requires the Secretary to: (1) equalize urban and rural standardized payments under the Medicare Inpatient Hospital Prospective Payment System; and (2) increase payments for certain services furnished by small rural hospitals and services that benefit low-volume hospitals. Revises provisions, reimbursement procedures, payments, and ambulance services for specified hospitals. Reinstates the Medicare periodic interim payment for critical access hospitals. Requires the Secretary to pay the reasonable cost of home health services expended by certain home health agencies and increase the Medicare reimbursement rate for rural health clinics. Extends an increase for Medicare home health services furnished in rural areas and the availability of Medicare cost contracts for Medicare beneficiaries. Amends SSA title V (Maternal and Child Health Services)(SSA) to direct the Secretary to make grants to States to improve dental services to children enrolled in a State plan under title XIX (Medicaid) or title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP). Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish a grant program for eligible entities and individuals (including Indian tribes) to expand the availability of primary dental care services where necessary. Directs the Secretary to establish demonstration projects to increase access to dental services for children in underserved areas.

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Timeline

1. 1 August 2002

   Introduced

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 1 August 2002

   Introduced

   Introduced in Senate

   Source: IntroReferral

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

• Introduced in Senate · 1 August 2002 · Official file

Documents

3 official files

• Introduced in Senate (text)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 1 August 2002

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate (PDF)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 1 August 2002

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 1 August 2002

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Chuck Grassley · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Harkin, Tom [D-IA-5] · D · Cosponsor
• · ssfi00 · Standing

Related records

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