Improving Home Dialysis Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8875
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-21: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 28 - 13.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-24T08:07:43Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 8875: Improving Home Dialysis Act of 2026
Purpose
This bill seeks to expand Medicare coverage under the Social Security Act by adding specific support services for patients performing dialysis at home, aiming to assist those who may need temporary help or mental health support during the early stages of home dialysis.
Key Provisions
- Staff-Assisted Home Dialysis Respite Care: Beginning January 1, 2028, this service provides temporary assistance from qualified personnel (such as registered nurses or certified technicians) to patients who cannot independently manage home dialysis for a limited period. It is limited to the patient's home (excluding skilled nursing or nursing facilities) and defined as services during a 30-day period starting when home dialysis begins, or at any time for physical limitations.
- Renal Mental Health Services: Also starting January 1, 2028, these services offer mental health support aligned with existing federal regulations, provided in the patient's home (excluding skilled nursing or nursing facilities) during a 60-day period after initiating home dialysis.
- Payment Adjustments: Medicare payments for these services include specific add-on amounts based on existing home dialysis training rates, with higher rates for rural areas. Limits apply, such as no more than 20 sessions per year for respite care and no more than 4 sessions for mental health services, and payments are not required to be budget-neutral.
- Eligibility Restrictions: Services are only covered on days when the patient is actively dialyzing at home.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Section 1881(b)(9) of the Social Security Act to insert two new subparagraphs for the added services and includes detailed definitions for "staff-assisted home dialysis respite care" and "renal mental health services."
- Updates Section 1881(b)(14) to require payment adjustments for these new services, redesignating existing clauses and adding new ones for rural and non-rural payment calculations.
- Makes a conforming change to Section 1834(r)(1) to update a cross-reference.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Increases Medicare program costs through new payments, potentially affecting the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' administration and budgeting for dialysis services.
- On Citizens: Improves access to supportive care for individuals with kidney failure using home dialysis, particularly in rural areas, by covering temporary assistance and mental health support.
- On International Relations: No direct effects identified in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Medicare beneficiaries who choose home dialysis.
- Dialysis providers and qualified medical personnel delivering these services.
- The Medicare program and related federal agencies responsible for implementation and payment.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Represents a standard amendment to Medicare provisions in the Social Security Act, enacted through congressional authority over federal health programs, with no explicit constitutional challenges or political provisions noted in the bill text.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Miller, Carol D. [R-WV-1]
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-21: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 28 - 13.
- 2026-05-21: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2026-05-19: 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.
- 2026-05-19: 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.
- 2026-05-19: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-19: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Improving Home Dialysis Act of 2026 — issued 2026-05-19 — PDF (6 pages)