RECOVER Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8386
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-20: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-30T17:53:57Z
AI-Generated Summary
H.R. 8386: Removing Excessive Cuts to Outpatient and Vital Essential Rehabilitation Act of 2026 (RECOVER Act of 2026)
Purpose
This bill aims to remove a payment cut applied by Medicare (the federal health insurance program for people 65 and older or with certain disabilities) when multiple therapy services—such as physical, occupational, or speech therapy—are provided in a single session. The change takes effect for services starting January 1, 2027.
Key Provisions
- Amendments to Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (Social Security Act Section 1848(b)(7)): Changes the payment reduction for multiple therapy services from 50% to 0% for services furnished on or after January 1, 2027.
- Amendments to Outpatient Therapy and Rehabilitation Services (Social Security Act Section 1834(k)(7)): Applies the same change, eliminating the 50% payment reduction and setting it to 0% starting January 1, 2027.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Under current law, Medicare reduces payments by 50% for subsequent therapy procedures in the same session (known as the multiple procedure payment reduction, or MPPR) to account for efficiencies in providing multiple services together.
- The bill fully eliminates this MPPR for the specified services, allowing providers to receive full payment for each therapy service after the effective date.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will process higher payments to providers, potentially increasing Medicare spending by millions annually (exact figures depend on usage).
- On Citizens: Medicare beneficiaries may gain better access to multiple therapy sessions without providers facing financial disincentives, possibly improving rehabilitation outcomes for conditions like strokes, injuries, or chronic illnesses.
- No notable impacts on international relations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Healthcare Providers: Outpatient therapy clinics, physical/occupational/speech therapists, and physicians billing Medicare for multiple therapies benefit from full reimbursements.
- Medicare Beneficiaries: Older adults and disabled individuals relying on therapy services.
- Taxpayers and Federal Budget: Indirectly affected through higher Medicare expenditures.
- CMS: Must implement payment system updates.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Straightforward amendment to existing Medicare statutes; no challenges to constitutionality anticipated as it adjusts payment rates within Congress's authority over federal spending.
- Political: Supports rehabilitation services amid debates on Medicare sustainability; could face opposition over increased federal costs but appeal to healthcare advocates. No broader precedents set.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-20: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-04-20: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-04-20: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-20: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Removing Excessive Cuts to Outpatient and Vital Essential Rehabilitation Act of 2026 — issued 2026-04-20 — PDF (2 pages)