To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to permit direct payment under the Medicare Program for clinical social worker services provided to residents of skilled nursing facilities.

May 26, 2005

Mr. STARK (for himself, Mr. LEACH, Mr. WEXLER, Mr. WAXMAN, Mr. HINCHEY, Mr. MCNULTY, Ms. BORDALLO, Mr. ABERCROMBIE, and Mr. KILDEE) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to permit direct payment under the Medicare Program for clinical social worker services provided to residents of skilled nursing facilities.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Clinical Social Work Medicare Equity Act of 2005'.

SEC. 2. PERMITTING DIRECT PAYMENT UNDER THE MEDICARE PROGRAM FOR CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER SERVICES PROVIDED TO RESIDENTS OF SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES.

(a) In General- Section 1888(e)(2)(A)(ii) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395yy(e)(2)(A)(ii)) is amended by inserting `clinical social worker services,' after `qualified psychologist services,'.

(b) Conforming Amendment- Section 1861(hh)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(hh)(2)) is amended by striking `and other than services furnished to an inpatient of a skilled nursing facility which the facility is required to provide as a requirement for participation'.

(c) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section shall apply to items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2006.

END