Several U.S. Senators have introduced a bill that would give patients the option to pay for medical devices themselves – rather than going through the Medicare process.
The bill would help ensure doctors and patients have access to the latest innovative medical technologies. Called the Accelerating Innovation in Medicine (AIM) Act, the proposed legislation is supported by the AIM Alliance, a group of doctors, patient advocacy organizations and medical device manufacturers.
“The newest, most innovative medical technologies are often subject to limited coverage or inadequate reimbursement under Medicare, especially when these products and procedures warrant greater reimbursement than Medicare will offer,” the AIM Alliance said in a prepared statement. “If a Medicare beneficiary is interested in self-paying for a new device or procedure that is not covered by Medicare, there are currently significant administrative obstacles.”
The bill was introduced by U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Thune (R-S.D.), and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.).
The bill would help ensure doctors and patients have access to the latest innovative medical technologies.
“Streamlining the process for patients to purchase FDA-approved medical devices enhances treatment options in the short term, and has the potential to improve health outcomes, yielding long-term benefits for seniors,” Heinrich said.
“The current medical device process is cumbersome and limits access to innovative devices and procedures for seniors who are willing to pay out of pocket,” Portman said in a news release. “Our bill simply allows seniors to take government out of the equation by purchasing these devices themselves rather than through Medicare. Ultimately, it will help to ensure patients and physicians have access to the most innovative medical technologies.”
“Many seniors rely on innovative medical devices to help manage their health, but the Medicare claims process can hold up their timely access to these tools,” Bennet said.
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