Establishment of Medicare home care benefit

(a) In general Section 1861 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (ooo) Home care services (1) In general The term home care services means the following services furnished to an individual in the individual’s home by a home care worker under a plan established under paragraph (3): (A) Assistance with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, and eating. (B) Assistance with instrumental activities of daily living, including meal preparation, medication reminders, and light housekeeping directly related to the health and safety of the individual. (2) Limitations Home care services furnished under this subsection— (A) shall not exceed 20 hours per week per individual; and (B) do not include, and are separate from, home health services described in subsection (m). (3) Plan of care Home care services shall be furnished pursuant to a plan of care established and periodically reviewed by a physician (or other practitioner authorized under this title to establish a plan of care), which shall certify that the individual requires assistance with not fewer than 2 activities of daily living, 2 instrumental activities of daily living, or 1 activity of daily living and 1 instrumental activity of daily living described in paragraph (1)(A).. (b) Coverage under part B Section 1832(a)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395k(a)(2)) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (I), by striking and at the end; (2) in subparagraph (J), by striking the period at the end and inserting; and; and (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: (K) home care services (as defined in section 1861(ooo)).. (c) Payment Section 1833 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (ee) Payment for home care services The Secretary shall establish a payment methodology for home care services (as defined in section 1861(ooo)) furnished by agencies or individuals enrolled under this title, which shall reflect a reasonable wage floor for home care workers furnishing such services..