Contact Congress about S. 2497: Fair Billing Act

Off-campus hospital outpatient clinics would need their own Medicare billing ID to get paid. Providers would also have to confirm that each clinic follows federal hospital-based billing rules.

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Fair Billing Act is a Senate bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Latest action on S. 2497: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Who this affects: This bill mainly affects hospitals and health systems that run outpatient clinics away from their main campus. Those providers would have to get separate billing IDs, file required statements, and prepare for reviews. Medicare officials would get clearer information about where care was provided. Patients would not see a direct benefit change in the bill text, but clinic billing status could affect how sites operate.

Why this matters: Medicare pays different types of clinics under different rules, so it matters where care was actually given. This bill would make off-campus hospital clinics easier to identify and review. It could help Medicare check whether these sites should bill as hospital outpatient departments. It could also add work and payment risk for providers that run those clinics.

Key provisions in S. 2497

• Medicare would pay off-campus hospital outpatient clinics only if they use their own standard health ID. That ID must be separate from the main provider's ID.
• Each off-campus outpatient department would need a recent provider-based status statement. The provider must file it within the two years before the department gives the service.
• Each off-campus outpatient department would need later statements after the first one. The Secretary of Health and Human Services would decide the schedule.
• The Secretary must create a formal process within one year after the bill becomes law. The process must use public rulemaking, so people can comment before it is final.
• The Secretary could check whether sites follow the rules. Reviews may include site visits, remote audits, or other methods the Secretary finds useful.

How Modern Action helps you take action on S. 2497

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Questions people ask about S. 2497

What is S. 2497?

Off-campus hospital outpatient clinics would need their own Medicare billing ID to get paid. Providers would also have to confirm that each clinic follows federal hospital-based billing rules.

How do I support or oppose S. 2497?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about S. 2497?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

How does Modern Action help me act on S. 2497?

Modern Action gives you bill-specific context, lets you choose support, opposition, or changes, and drafts a message from your position and reasons.