Legis Daily

PATCH Act

USA119th CongressS-1624| Senate 
| Updated: 5/6/2025
Brian Schatz

Brian Schatz

Democratic Senator

Hawaii

Cosponsors (1)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)

Finance Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill proposes to amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a floor for the work geographic index, which impacts Medicare payments for physicians' services provided in Hawaii. The primary objective is to ensure that the unique economic factors affecting healthcare providers in Hawaii are adequately reflected in their reimbursement rates, thereby protecting access to care. Specifically, for physicians' services furnished in Hawaii on or after January 1, 2026 , the bill mandates that if the calculated work geographic index is less than 1.5 , it shall be increased to 1.5. This adjustment aims to prevent the index from falling below a critical threshold, supporting the financial viability of medical practices in the state. A significant provision is that this increase in the work geographic index will not be applied in a budget-neutral manner , meaning the additional costs will not be offset by reductions in other Medicare payments.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-3983
PATCH Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-4395
PATCH Act
May 6, 2025
Introduced in Senate
May 6, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
May 7, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-3263
Introduced in House
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-3983
    PATCH Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-4395
    PATCH Act


  • May 6, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 6, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.


  • May 7, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-3263
    Introduced in House

Health

Related Bills

  • HR 119-3263: PATCH Act

PATCH Act

USA119th CongressS-1624| Senate 
| Updated: 5/6/2025
This bill proposes to amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a floor for the work geographic index, which impacts Medicare payments for physicians' services provided in Hawaii. The primary objective is to ensure that the unique economic factors affecting healthcare providers in Hawaii are adequately reflected in their reimbursement rates, thereby protecting access to care. Specifically, for physicians' services furnished in Hawaii on or after January 1, 2026 , the bill mandates that if the calculated work geographic index is less than 1.5 , it shall be increased to 1.5. This adjustment aims to prevent the index from falling below a critical threshold, supporting the financial viability of medical practices in the state. A significant provision is that this increase in the work geographic index will not be applied in a budget-neutral manner , meaning the additional costs will not be offset by reductions in other Medicare payments.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-3983
PATCH Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-4395
PATCH Act
May 6, 2025
Introduced in Senate
May 6, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
May 7, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-3263
Introduced in House
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-3983
    PATCH Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-4395
    PATCH Act


  • May 6, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 6, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.


  • May 7, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-3263
    Introduced in House
Brian Schatz

Brian Schatz

Democratic Senator

Hawaii

Cosponsors (1)
Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)

Finance Committee

Health

Related Bills

  • HR 119-3263: PATCH Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted