Portable Ultrasound Reimbursement Equity Act of 2025
Summary
What This Bill Does
The Portable Ultrasound Reimbursement Equity Act amends the Social Security Act so Medicare Part B treats portable ultrasound transportation and setup services like portable X-ray transportation and setup services. It adds ultrasound tests to the diagnostic services category and directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide a separate payment for transporting and setting up portable ultrasound services. Supplier requirements must be substantially similar to existing portable X-ray supplier requirements in 42 CFR part 486, subpart C. The payment change applies to services furnished on or after January 1, 2027.
Who Benefits and How
Portable ultrasound suppliers benefit because Medicare would make a separate payment for transportation and setup instead of bundling or omitting that cost. Medicare beneficiaries who need imaging at home or in facilities benefit from improved access to portable ultrasound services. Home health and long-term care providers benefit if patients can receive ultrasound imaging without ambulance trips or facility transfers. Clinicians ordering bedside ultrasound benefit from clearer Medicare payment support for mobile imaging logistics.
Who Bears the Burden and How
Medicare Part B bears higher payment obligations for transportation and setup of portable ultrasound services. CMS must specify supplier requirements substantially similar to portable X-ray supplier rules. Portable ultrasound suppliers must meet Medicare supplier standards comparable to 42 CFR part 486 subpart C. Federal taxpayers fund any additional Medicare spending from the new separate payment category.
Key Provisions
- Adds ultrasound tests alongside diagnostic X-ray tests in Medicare Part B's diagnostic service category.
- Requires separate Medicare payment for portable ultrasound transportation and setup services.
- Directs CMS to set supplier requirements substantially similar to portable X-ray service rules.
- Applies to services furnished on or after January 1, 2027.
Evidence Chain:
This summary is generated from the full bill text using AI analysis. Expand "Detailed Analysis" below for identified beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.
At a Glance
What This Bill Does
Adds portable ultrasound transportation and setup services to Medicare Part B, requiring separate payment comparable to portable X-ray transportation and setup services for services furnished on or after January 1, 2027.
Key Policy Areas
Medicare, Health Care, Medical Devices
Primary Purpose
Adds portable ultrasound transportation and setup services to Medicare Part B, requiring separate payment comparable to portable X-ray transportation and setup services for services furnished on or after January 1, 2027.
Policy Domains
Resolution provisions
Identified Gains
- Portable ultrasound suppliers
- Medicare beneficiaries needing mobile imaging
- Home health providers
- Clinicians ordering bedside ultrasound
Identified Costs
- Medicare Part B
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- Portable ultrasound suppliers
- Federal taxpayers
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
In CommitteeMs. Van Duyne (for herself, Mr. Schneider, Mrs. Miller-Meeks, and …
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in …
Introduced in House
Stakeholder Effects
cui bono?How this legislation distributes effects. Mention counts reflect frequency, not effect magnitude.
Medicare beneficiaries needing mobile imaging
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology