S 232 IS
106th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 232
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide improved
reimbursement for clinical social worker services under the Medicare program,
and for other purposes.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 19, 1999
Mr. INOUYE introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred
to the Committee on Finance
A BILL
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide improved
reimbursement for clinical social worker services under the Medicare program,
and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. IMPROVED REIMBURSEMENT FOR CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER SERVICES UNDER
MEDICARE.
(a) IN GENERAL- Section 1833(a)(1)(F)(ii) of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1395l(a)(1)(F)(ii)) is amended to read as follows: `(ii) the amount
determined by a fee schedule established by the Secretary,'.
(b) DEFINITION OF CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER SERVICES EXPANDED- Section
1861(hh)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(hh)(2)) is amended by
striking `services performed by a clinical social worker (as defined in
paragraph (1))' and inserting `such services and such services and supplies
furnished as an incident to such services performed by a clinical social
worker (as defined in paragraph (1))'.
(c) CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER SERVICES NOT TO BE INCLUDED IN INPATIENT
HOSPITAL SERVICES- Section 1861(b)(4) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1395x(b)(4)) is amended by striking `and services' and inserting `clinical
social worker services, and services'.
(d) TREATMENT OF SERVICES FURNISHED IN INPATIENT SETTING- Section
1832(a)(2)(B)(iii) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395k(a)(2)(B)(iii))
is amended by striking `and services' and inserting `clinical social worker
services, and services'.
(e) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments made by this section shall apply to
payments made for clinical social worker services furnished on or after
January 1, 2000.
END