S. 2612: Stopping Addiction and Falls for the Elderly Act
The Stopping Addiction and Falls for the Elderly Act
(also known as the SAFE Act
) seeks to amend the Medicare program within the Social Security Act to enhance support for elderly individuals at risk of falls. Specifically, this bill proposes the following changes:
Inclusion of Therapists in Annual Wellness Visits
The bill will allow physical therapists and occupational therapists to be recognized as health professionals who can perform certain assessments during the annual wellness visit for Medicare beneficiaries. This aims to provide a more comprehensive approach to elder care, particularly regarding fall prevention:
- For individuals identified by their physician as having experienced a fall in the previous year, the annual wellness visit will include a falls risk assessment and prevention services.
- These professionals will be able to offer separate falls risk assessments and prevention services in conjunction with the wellness visit.
Initial Preventive Physical Examination Changes
Alongside the changes to the annual wellness visit, the bill will also modify provisions related to the initial preventive physical examination. Specifically:
- If a physician determines an individual has experienced a fall in the previous year, they will be eligible for outpatient occupational and physical therapy services as part of their initial preventive examination.
Effective Date of the Changes
These amendments regarding the inclusion of therapy services in annual wellness visits and initial preventive physical examinations are set to take effect on January 1, 2026.
Annual Reports to Congress
Starting January 1, 2027, the Secretary of Health and Human Services is required to submit an annual report to Congress detailing:
- The number of falls experienced by individuals aged 65 and older who received treatment for fall-related pain or injuries in the previous year.
- This report will build on data from prior years, allowing for analysis of trends and changes over time.
Summary of Impact
This legislation is primarily designed to improve the care and preventive measures available to elderly Medicare recipients regarding falls, a significant risk for this demographic. By integrating occupational and physical therapists into the Medicare wellness framework, the bill aims to reduce the incidence and impact of falls among seniors.
Relevant Companies
- PHM (Piedmont Healthcare Inc.): Potentially involved in providing therapy services as Medicare adjusts its coverage.
- TEVA (Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.): May experience changes in demand for therapies due to increased referrals following fall assessments.
This is an AI-generated summary of the bill text. There may be mistakes.
Sponsors
2 bill sponsors
Actions
2 actions
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Jul. 31, 2025 | Introduced in Senate |
| Jul. 31, 2025 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. |
Corporate Lobbying
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