Bill · H.R. 8871· House(119-HR-8871)
DME Scammer Prevention Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 5/19/2026
- Last activity
- 5/21/2026 — Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 19.
- Sponsored by
- Aaron Bean
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
What this bill would do
The DME Scammer Prevention Act of 2026 aims to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve Medicare program integrity. It focuses on specific medical equipment and supplies furnished on or after January 1, 2027. The bill modifies how claims for these specified items are submitted and sets a 90-day window for claim submissions. Additionally, it requires the Comptroller General to submit a report to Congress regarding the technology used to screen these claims. This report will examine the effectiveness of screening technology in identifying waste, fraud, or abuse.
Yes· 3 of 7
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+4
Requires a GAO report to Congress evaluating screening technologies and identifying waste, fraud, and abuse.
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?+3
Enhances oversight and accountability in federal healthcare spending through stricter claims processing rules.
Would people over 65 be better off under this?+3
Protects the Medicare program from fraudulent activities involving durable medical equipment, benefiting elderly beneficiaries.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-2
Imposes stricter 90-day submission timelines and electronic filing mandates on medical equipment providers and suppliers.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Program Integrity: The bill aims to promote Medicare program integrity by using technology to identify potential waste, fraud, or abuse regarding certain medical equipment and supplies (Section 2(a) and Section 2(c)).
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Improved Oversight of Claims: The Comptroller General will submit a report to Congress by January 1, 2030, to examine how technology assists in identifying suspicious claims or aberrant billing practices (Section 2(c)(1)).
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Better Identification of Errors: The required report will examine the number of claims initially denied by screening technology and how many were ultimately paid, providing insight into the accuracy of the screening process (Section 2(c)(1)(A)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Changes to Claim Submission Timelines: The bill introduces a 90-day period for the submission of claims for certain applicable items, which modifies previous standards (Section 2(b)).
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Exclusions from certain protections: The definition of "applicable items" excludes items that require a face-to-face encounter, a written order prior to delivery, prior authorization, or those paid on a monthly rental basis (Section 2(b)(2)(C)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Fiscal Responsibility+3Reduces Government Spending+2Reduces National Debt+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+4Increases Federal Power+1
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Retirees+3Good For Seniors+3Good For Business Owners-2
- 5/21/2026
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 19.
- 5/19/2026
- 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.
- Introduced in House