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Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-6280| House 
| Updated: 11/21/2025
Adrian Smith

Adrian Smith

Republican Representative

Nebraska

Cosponsors (12)
Eugene Simon Vindman (Democratic)Eric Swalwell (Democratic)Madeleine Dean (Democratic)Suzan K. DelBene (Democratic)Donald G. Davis (Democratic)Gus M. Bilirakis (Republican)Kathy Castor (Democratic)Jamie Raskin (Democratic)Joe Neguse (Democratic)Josh Gottheimer (Democratic)Michael Lawler (Republican)Jason Crow (Democratic)

Ways and Means Committee, Energy and Commerce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill aims to expand coverage under Medicare Part B to include services furnished by genetic counselors. It specifically amends the Social Security Act to add "covered genetic counseling services" to the list of Medicare-eligible benefits, effective for services provided on or after January 1, 2027. This expansion seeks to improve access to specialized genetic health information and support for beneficiaries. The legislation defines covered genetic counseling services as those provided by a qualified genetic counselor, along with incident services, that are legally authorized under state law and would otherwise be covered if furnished by a physician. A genetic counselor is defined as an individual who is either state-licensed or, in states without licensure, certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling and meets additional criteria set by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. For these newly covered services, Medicare Part B will pay 80 percent of the lesser of the actual charge or 85 percent of the fee schedule amount that would apply if a physician provided the service. The bill also applies Medicare's balance billing rules to genetic counselors and includes a rule of construction to ensure that existing coverage for genetic counseling services provided by physicians remains unaffected by these changes.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-3235
Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-3876
Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act of 2023

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-2144
Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act of 2021
Nov 21, 2025
Introduced in House
Nov 21, 2025
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.
Jan 8, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-3607
Introduced in Senate
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-3235
    Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-3876
    Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act of 2023


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-2144
    Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act of 2021


  • November 21, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • November 21, 2025
    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.


  • January 8, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-3607
    Introduced in Senate

Health

Related Bills

  • S 119-3607: Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act of 2026

Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-6280| House 
| Updated: 11/21/2025
This bill aims to expand coverage under Medicare Part B to include services furnished by genetic counselors. It specifically amends the Social Security Act to add "covered genetic counseling services" to the list of Medicare-eligible benefits, effective for services provided on or after January 1, 2027. This expansion seeks to improve access to specialized genetic health information and support for beneficiaries. The legislation defines covered genetic counseling services as those provided by a qualified genetic counselor, along with incident services, that are legally authorized under state law and would otherwise be covered if furnished by a physician. A genetic counselor is defined as an individual who is either state-licensed or, in states without licensure, certified by the American Board of Genetic Counseling and meets additional criteria set by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. For these newly covered services, Medicare Part B will pay 80 percent of the lesser of the actual charge or 85 percent of the fee schedule amount that would apply if a physician provided the service. The bill also applies Medicare's balance billing rules to genetic counselors and includes a rule of construction to ensure that existing coverage for genetic counseling services provided by physicians remains unaffected by these changes.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-3235
Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-3876
Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act of 2023

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-2144
Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act of 2021
Nov 21, 2025
Introduced in House
Nov 21, 2025
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.
Jan 8, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-3607
Introduced in Senate
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-3235
    Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-3876
    Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act of 2023


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-2144
    Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act of 2021


  • November 21, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • November 21, 2025
    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.


  • January 8, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-3607
    Introduced in Senate
Adrian Smith

Adrian Smith

Republican Representative

Nebraska

Cosponsors (12)
Eugene Simon Vindman (Democratic)Eric Swalwell (Democratic)Madeleine Dean (Democratic)Suzan K. DelBene (Democratic)Donald G. Davis (Democratic)Gus M. Bilirakis (Republican)Kathy Castor (Democratic)Jamie Raskin (Democratic)Joe Neguse (Democratic)Josh Gottheimer (Democratic)Michael Lawler (Republican)Jason Crow (Democratic)

Ways and Means Committee, Energy and Commerce Committee

Health

Related Bills

  • S 119-3607: Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act of 2026
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted