H.R. 1667: Acupuncture for Our Seniors Act of 2025

This bill, known as the Acupuncture for Our Seniors Act of 2025, aims to amend the Social Security Act to include acupuncture services as a covered benefit under the Medicare program. Here’s a breakdown of key components of the bill:

Coverage for Acupuncturist Services

The main purpose of the bill is to formalize coverage for “qualified acupuncturist services” under Medicare. This means that services provided by licensed acupuncturists will be recognized and reimbursed when offered to Medicare beneficiaries. The bill outlines the following:

• **Definition of Qualified Acupuncturist Services**: These services will be provided by individuals who are either licensed acupuncturists or physicians authorized to perform acupuncture.
• **Legal Authorization**: The services must be legally permitted under state law, ensuring a standard of care and compliance with state regulations.

Payment Rules

The bill establishes specific payment provisions for these acupuncture services within Medicare, which include:

• **Payment Under Physician Fee Schedule**: Acupuncturist services will be included in the physician fee schedule, allowing for appropriate reimbursement to providers.
• **Separate Payment for Institutional Providers**: Acupuncture services will be separately reimbursable when provided in hospital settings or by institutional providers.
• **Qualified Acupuncturist Treatment Recognition**: The bill allows qualified acupuncturists to be recognized as practitioners within Medicare, enabling them to be reimbursed for their services.
• **Billing Procedures**: Specific guidelines will be established for billing acupuncture services provided in inpatient settings, clarifying how these services are processed and reimbursed.

Effective Date

The provisions of this bill would take effect 270 days after the bill is enacted, meaning there will be a set period for implementation following its passage.

Relevant Companies

None found