Increasing access to hospice care services

(a) In general Section 1814(a)(7)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395f(a)(7)(A)) is amended— (1) in clause (i)— (A) in subclause (I), by striking a nurse practitioner or; (B) in subclause (II), by inserting or nurse practitioner after physician; and (C) in the flush matter following subclause (II), by inserting, nurse practitioner’s, after physician’s; and (2) in clause (ii), by striking or physician and inserting, physician, or nurse practitioner. (b) Hospice care definition Section 1861(dd)(1)(C) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(dd)(1)(C)) is amended by inserting or nurse practitioner after physician. (c) Nurse practitioner billing Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall revise section 418.304 of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations, to allow nurse practitioners to bill for services not described in paragraph (a) of such section in the same manner as physicians may bill for such services in accordance with paragraph (b) of such section. Such revision shall provide that such services furnished by a nurse practitioner shall be payable at the percent of the physician fee schedule specified in section 1833(a)(1)(O) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l(a)(1)(O)).