Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2025

Sponsor: Joe Courtney (Democratic-CT)June 12, 2025

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Introduced

In Committee

Passed One Chamber

Passed Both Chambers

Signed into Law

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.

Lets Medicare count hospital observation time toward skilled nursing coverage

This bill would let Medicare count the time a patient spends under 'outpatient observation' in a hospital towards the 3-day stay needed for skilled nursing facility coverage. This means many Medicare beneficiaries could get coverage for skilled nursing care sooner. The change would take effect for services starting January 1, 2026.

What Would Change

Currently, Medicare requires a 3-day inpatient hospital stay for coverage of skilled nursing facility services. Time spent in outpatient observation does not count towards this requirement. This bill would change that, making time spent in outpatient observation services count towards the 3-day requirement for Medicare skilled nursing facility coverage.

Key Provisions

Lets Medicare count time spent in hospital outpatient observation services toward the 3-day hospital stay needed for skilled nursing facility coverage.
Applies to outpatient observation services received on or after January 1, 2026.
Allows past cases to count if an administrative appeal was made within 90 days of the bill becoming law.
Gives the Secretary of Health and Human Services power to create new rules to carry out this change.

View on Congress.gov

HR 3954 · 119th Congress · June 12, 2025 · AI Summary by gemini-2.5-flash · 10/10

Lobbying Activity

7 filings mentioned this bill

Top Lobbying Clients

SOCIETY OF HOSPITAL MEDICINE

$80K

2 filings

NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE

2 filings

AMERICAN HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATION

2 filings

DIRECT SUPPLY, INC.

1 filing

Top Lobbying Firms

1.CHAMBER HILL STRATEGIES2 filings

2.NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE2 filings

3.AMERICAN HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATION2 filings

4.DIRECT SUPPLY, INC.1 filing

Amounts reflect total quarterly lobbying spend reported to the Senate, not bill-specific spending. Source: Senate LDA filings.

7 filings mentioned this bill

Top Lobbying Clients

SOCIETY OF HOSPITAL MEDICINE

$80K

2 filings

NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE

2 filings

AMERICAN HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATION

2 filings

DIRECT SUPPLY, INC.

1 filing

Top Lobbying Firms

1.CHAMBER HILL STRATEGIES2 filings

2.NATIONAL COMMITTEE TO PRESERVE SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE2 filings

3.AMERICAN HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATION2 filings

4.DIRECT SUPPLY, INC.1 filing

Amounts reflect total quarterly lobbying spend reported to the Senate, not bill-specific spending. Source: Senate LDA filings.