Legis Daily

RURAL Rate Act

USA119th CongressS-3688| Senate 
| Updated: 1/15/2026
Dan Sullivan

Dan Sullivan

Republican Senator

Alaska

Finance Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill proposes to amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to adjust Medicare payment calculations for certain areas, aiming to remedy underpayment. Its primary purpose is to establish a higher minimum for the geographic practice expense and work indices used in determining physician payments. Specifically, for services provided on or after January 1, 2026, the legislation mandates that the Secretary of Health and Human Services increase either the practice expense geographic index or the work geographic index to 1.67 if the calculated index would otherwise be lower. This provision targets specific regions, likely rural, by ensuring a more equitable reimbursement rate for healthcare providers. By setting a new floor of 1.67, the bill seeks to improve financial stability for medical practices in these areas.
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Timeline
Jan 15, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Jan 15, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
  • January 15, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 15, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Social Welfare

RURAL Rate Act

USA119th CongressS-3688| Senate 
| Updated: 1/15/2026
This bill proposes to amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to adjust Medicare payment calculations for certain areas, aiming to remedy underpayment. Its primary purpose is to establish a higher minimum for the geographic practice expense and work indices used in determining physician payments. Specifically, for services provided on or after January 1, 2026, the legislation mandates that the Secretary of Health and Human Services increase either the practice expense geographic index or the work geographic index to 1.67 if the calculated index would otherwise be lower. This provision targets specific regions, likely rural, by ensuring a more equitable reimbursement rate for healthcare providers. By setting a new floor of 1.67, the bill seeks to improve financial stability for medical practices in these areas.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline
Jan 15, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Jan 15, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
  • January 15, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 15, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Dan Sullivan

Dan Sullivan

Republican Senator

Alaska

Finance Committee

Social Welfare

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted