SAFE through Medicare Act

This legislation proposes to expand Medicare coverage to include medically necessary home resiliency services for individuals vulnerable during climate or manmade disasters. These new services, which would be available starting January 1, 2027, aim to protect beneficiaries by providing essential equipment and modifications. Examples of covered services include heat pumps for those sensitive to extreme temperatures, solar batteries for individuals reliant on electrical medical equipment, and energy-efficient cold storage for heat-sensitive medical supplies.

The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with other agencies, would establish a process to determine who is considered medically at-risk, considering factors like geography-specific climate risks, regional disaster history, and individual medical reliance on sensitive equipment or chronic conditions. Medicare would cover 100 percent of the cost for these approved home resiliency services, based on a fee schedule established by the Secretary.