This bill, known as the Fair Billing Act, amends the Social Security Act to enhance oversight and billing transparency for off-campus outpatient departments. Beginning January 1, 2026, Medicare payments will be withheld for services furnished by such departments unless they meet specific new requirements. These include obtaining a standard unique health identifier separate from their parent provider. Providers must also submit an initial and subsequent attestation to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, confirming the department's compliance with specific regulatory requirements outlined in 42 CFR 413.65. The Secretary is mandated to establish a process within one year for submitting and reviewing these attestations, which may involve site visits or remote audits to verify compliance. To ensure accountability, the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services is required to analyze the Secretary's review process and provide recommendations to Congress by January 1, 2030.
This bill, known as the Fair Billing Act, amends the Social Security Act to enhance oversight and billing transparency for off-campus outpatient departments. Beginning January 1, 2026, Medicare payments will be withheld for services furnished by such departments unless they meet specific new requirements. These include obtaining a standard unique health identifier separate from their parent provider. Providers must also submit an initial and subsequent attestation to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, confirming the department's compliance with specific regulatory requirements outlined in 42 CFR 413.65. The Secretary is mandated to establish a process within one year for submitting and reviewing these attestations, which may involve site visits or remote audits to verify compliance. To ensure accountability, the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services is required to analyze the Secretary's review process and provide recommendations to Congress by January 1, 2030.