I
114th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1427
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 18, 2015
Mr. Reed (for himself, Ms. DeGette, and Mr. Whitfield) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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
A BILL
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to specify coverage of continuous glucose monitoring devices, and for other purposes.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Medicare CGM Access Act of 2015
.
Medicare coverage of continuous glucose monitoring devices
In general
Section 1861 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x) is amended—
in subsection (s)(2)—
in subparagraph (EE), by striking and
at the end;
in subparagraph (FF), by adding and
; and
by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
continuous glucose monitoring devices (as defined in subsection (iii)(1)) furnished to a CGM qualified individual (as defined in subsection (iii)(2));
; and
by adding at the end the following new subsection:
Continuous Glucose Monitoring Device; CGM qualified individual
The term continuous glucose monitoring device means a class III medical device approved by the Food and Drug Administration that continuously senses or continuously monitors and trends glucose levels in body fluid.
Such term applies to such medical device—
as a stand-alone product;
when integrated with an insulin pump; or
as an integral component of any other medical device cleared or approved by the Food and Drug Administration, such as artificial pancreas device systems.
With respect to a continuous glucose monitoring device that is described in clause (ii) or (iii) of subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall treat an insulin pump or other medical device that has a continuous glucose monitoring device as an integrated or integral component as a single medical device.
Such term includes components, accessories, and supplies that are necessary and related to the operation of the class III medical device, such as sensors, transmitters, receivers, and requisite software.
The term CGM qualified individual means any of the following:
An individual with Type I diabetes—
who is following an intensive insulin treatment regimen that consists of 3 or more insulin injections per day or the use of a subcutaneous insulin infusion pump;
subject to paragraph (3), whose attending physician certifies that the individual’s condition cannot be safely and effectively managed with self-monitoring of blood glucose; and
who—
has been unable to achieve optimum glycemic control in accordance with evidence-based guidelines; or
has experienced hypoglycemia unawareness or frequent hypoglycemic episodes.
An individual not described in subparagraph (A) who meets such other medical criteria as the Secretary may specify for the furnishing of a continuous glucose monitoring device based on available medical evidence and taking into account any anticipated pathway to the development of artificial pancreas device systems.
An individual with diabetes who has been regularly using a continuous glucose monitoring device before becoming entitled to, or enrolling in, part A, or enrolling in part B, or both.
For purposes of a certification by an attending physician described in paragraph (2)(A)(ii), such certification shall not be required more frequently than once every 3 years.
.
Payment
In general
Section 1833(a)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l(a)(1)) is amended—
by striking and
before (Z)
; and
by inserting before the semicolon at the end the following: , and (AA) with respect to continuous glucose monitoring devices under section 1861(s)(2)(GG)), the amount paid shall be an amount equal to 80 percent of the amount determined under the fee schedule established under section 1834(r)
.
Conforming amendment
Section 1834 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
Fee schedule for continuous glucose monitoring devices
Establishment
In general
With respect to continuous glucose monitoring devices (as defined in section 1861(iii)(1)) furnished during a year, the amount of payment under this part for such devices shall be determined under a fee schedule established by the Secretary in accordance with this subsection.
Clarification of application of fee schedule to devices having CGM as an integral component
Payment shall be calculated and made under the fee schedule established under this subsection for any insulin pump or other medical device that has a continuous glucose monitoring device as an integrated or integral component.
Initial payment rate
In general
With respect to each distinct type of continuous glucose monitoring device, the Secretary shall establish an initial payment rate under the fee schedule established under this subsection for the first year, which may be a partial year, during which payment may be made for such continuous glucose monitoring device under this part.
Data
With respect to a continuous glucose monitoring device, the initial payment rate under subparagraph (A) shall—
reflect market rates for such device; and
take into account the most recent available data on prices for such device.
Accounting for differences in functionalities among various CGM devices
For purposes of the initial payment rates established under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall establish a new HCPCS code for each distinct type of class III medical device cleared or approved by the Food and Drug Administration that includes a continuous glucose monitoring device, such as a medical device described in clause (ii) or (iii) of section 1861(iii)(1)(B). Such HCPCS codes shall distinguish among the different functionalities of such devices in a manner that reflects the classifications of the Food and Drug Administration in clearing or approving such devices.
Updates to payment rates
With respect to each year beginning after the year, or partial year, referred to in paragraph (2)(A) during which an initial payment rate is established for a distinct continuous glucose monitoring device, the Secretary shall provide for annual updates to the payment rate under the fee schedule established under this subsection for each such device for the preceding year by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (United States city average) for the 12-month period ending with June of the preceding year.
Adjustment for geographic variations
The Secretary shall provide for adjustments to the payment rates under the fee schedule established under this subsection to take into account geographic variations in the prices of continuous glucose monitoring devices.
.
Ensuring beneficiary access to appropriate components
Section 1847(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–3(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
Ensuring beneficiary access to appropriate components
In general
In carrying out the programs under this section with respect to glucose meters required for continuous glucose monitoring devices (as defined in section 1861(iii)(1)) that are furnished to CGM qualified individuals (as defined in section 1861(iii)(2)), the Secretary shall ensure that such CGM qualified individuals are furnished the brand of diabetic testing supplies (as defined in subparagraph (B)) that function with such continuous glucose monitoring devices, such as in the case where there is only one brand of glucose meter that is compatible with a particular continuous glucose monitoring device.
Definition
In this paragraph, the term diabetic testing supplies means glucose meters and diabetic testing strips.
.
Effective date; Rulemaking
Effective date
The amendments made by this section shall apply to items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2016.
Rulemaking
In general
The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this paragraph referred to as the Secretary
) shall implement the amendments made by this section through notice and comment rulemaking.
Consultation
As part of the rulemaking process under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall consult with national organizations representing individuals with diabetes, physicians with relevant clinical expertise in endocrinology, and other relevant stakeholders to develop clinical criteria for the determination of whether an individual qualifies as having Type I diabetes under section 1861(iii)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act, as added by subsection (a)(2). Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall convene a meeting of those stakeholders to develop consensus recommendations for such clinical criteria. The Secretary shall take such recommendations into account in implementing the amendments made by this section.
