H.R. 8871 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent 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, May 19, 2026
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryTightens rules for medical equipment billing
This bill tackles fraud in Medicare billing for certain durable medical equipment—items like wheelchairs, prosthetics, and braces that the government has flagged as vulnerable to scams. It requires all claims for these high-risk items to be filed electronically and within 90 days of delivery. The bill also asks the Government Accountability Office to study how Medicare's contractors use technology to catch fraudulent claims.
How it affects you
If you use Medicare and rely on durable medical equipment, this change could mean faster processing and less room for fraudsters to submit fake bills in your name. Healthcare providers who supply these items will need to follow stricter electronic filing deadlines. The changes mainly affect the Medicare system's ability to protect against equipment-related fraud.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, May 19, 2026)
DME Scammer Prevention Act of 2026
This bill establishes requirements relating to potentially fraudulent billing for certain durable medical equipment under Medicare.
Specifically, the bill establishes requirements relating to billing for items that are on the Master List of Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies. (The master list includes items that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has identified as posing certain fiscal vulnerabilities and therefore require additional conditions for payments to be made, such as prior authorization.)
The bill requires claims for such items to be filed electronically and within 90 days of when the items were furnished. The Government Accountability Office must report on the technology used by Medicare administrative contractors to identify fraudulent claims with respect to such items.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
2nd SessionH. R. 8871
A BILL
DME Scammer Prevention Act of 2026
Sponsor: Rep. Aaron Bean (R-FL-4) · Introduced May 19, 2026 · Health · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action May 21, 2026: “Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 19.”