June 26, 2025
Mr. Smucker (for himself and Mr. Davis of North Carolina) 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 allow Medicare beneficiaries to choose their physical and occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and chiropractors.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Medicare Patient Choice Act
.
Sec. 2. Free choice of therapists for Medicare beneficiaries
Section 1802(b) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395a(b)) is amended—
(1)
in paragraph (1)—
(A)
in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking physician or practitioner
and inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist
; and
(B)
in subparagraph (B), in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking physician or practitioner
and inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist
;
(2)
in paragraph (2)(B)—
(A)
in clause (i), by striking physician or practitioner
and inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist
;
(B)
in clause (v), by striking physicians or practitioners
and inserting physicians, practitioners, therapists, or qualified audiologists
; and
(C)
in the matter following clause (v), by striking physician or practitioner
and inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist
;
(3)
in paragraph (3)—
(A)
in the heading, by striking physician or practitioner
and inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist
;
(B)
in subparagraph (A), by striking physician or practitioner
and inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist
;
(C)
in subparagraph (B)—
(i)
in clause (i), by striking physician or practitioner
each place it appears and inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist
; and
(ii)
in clause (ii), by striking physician or practitioner
and inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist
;
(D)
in subparagraph (C)—
(i)
in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking physician or practitioner
and inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist
;
(ii)
in clause (i), by striking physician or practitioner
and inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist
; and
(iii)
in clause (ii), by striking physician or practitioner
and inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist
; and
(E)
in subparagraph (D), by striking physician or practitioner
each place it appears and inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist
;
(4)
in paragraph (5)—
(A)
in the heading, by striking physicians and practitioners
and inserting physicians, practitioners, therapists, and qualified audiologists
;
(B)
in subparagraph (A), by striking physicians and practitioners
and inserting physicians, practitioners, therapists, and qualified audiologists
; and
(C)
in subparagraph (B)—
(i)
in the manner preceding clause (i), by striking physicians and practitioners
and inserting physicians, practitioners, therapists, and qualified audiologists
;
(ii)
in clause (iv), by striking physicians and practitioners
and inserting physicians, practitioners, therapists, and qualified audiologists
; and
(iii)
in clause (v), by striking physicians and practitioners
and inserting physicians, practitioners, therapists, and qualified audiologists
; and
(5)
in paragraph (6)—
(A)
in subparagraph (B), by striking paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) of
;
(B)
in subparagraph (D)—
(i)
in the heading, by striking physician or practitioner
and inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist
; and
(ii)
by striking physician or practitioner
each place it appears and inserting physician, practitioner, therapist, or qualified audiologist
; and
(C)
by adding at the end the following:
(E) Therapist
The term therapist means a qualified physical therapist (as such term is used in section 1861(p)), a qualified occupational therapist (as such term is used in 1861(g)), or a qualified speech-language pathologist (as defined in 1861(ll)(4)(A)).
(F) Qualified audiologist
The term qualified audiologist has the meaning given such term in section 1861(ll)(4)(B).