Download the proposed legislation flyer (H.R. 1587 / S.1731) To amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to reclassify audiologists as practitioners for purposes of furnishing audiology services under the Medicare Program and to enable Medicare beneficiaries to have their choice of qualified audiologist.
The passage of this federal legislation would allow for:
Practitioner Status within Medicare
Would allow audiologists the autonomy to make clinical recommendations and practice the full scope of audiology and vestibular care as allowed by their state license and as dictated by their educational requirements and competencies.
Medicare Direct Access
Would eliminate the need for the physician order required for a Medicare beneficiary to receive coverage of medically necessary, covered audiology and vestibular services.
Comprehensive Medicare Benefit
Would allow for Medicare coverage of medically necessary, covered treatment services such as vestibular rehabilitation, cerumen removal, and aural rehabilitation provided by audiologists practicing within their state defined scope of practice.
The passage of this legislation does not:
- Change, expand and/or enhance the scope of practice outlined in any state audiology licensure law.
- Change the practitioner status to a limited license physician at the state level.
- Allow for prescriptive rights.
- Allow for ordering rights.
- Include a provision for hearing aid coverage by Medicare.
For more information, please contact Stephanie Czuhajewski at