Bill · S. 2865· Senate(119-S-2865)
Improving Access to Advance Care Planning Act
- Introduced
- 9/18/2025
- Last activity
- 9/18/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Sponsored by
- Mark Warner
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Improving Access to Advance Care Planning Act aims to amend the Social Security Act to include coverage for advance care planning services under Medicare. These services involve discussions regarding health care preferences, future decisions, and advance directives. The bill defines eligible practitioners, which includes physicians, nurse practitioners, and certain clinical social workers. It also directs the Secretary to make payments for these services while waiving specific cost-sharing requirements for Medicare Part B. Additionally, the bill removes geographic requirements for providing these services via telehealth. Finally, it mandates provider outreach and a study by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission to analyze the implementation of these services.
Yes· 3 of 5
Would people over 65 be better off under this?+8
The bill provides Medicare beneficiaries with easier access to advance care planning by waiving cost-sharing requirements.
Would retired people be better off under this?+8
The bill helps retirees plan for future healthcare decisions without the burden of out-of-pocket costs.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+7
The bill expands access to advance care planning by waiving cost-sharing and removing geographic restrictions for telehealth.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Waived Cost-Sharing: Under Section 2(b)(2), Medicare cost-sharing for advance care planning services will be waived starting January 1, 2027, meaning the amount paid will be 100 percent of the actual charge or the determined amount, which removes the financial burden from the individual.
-
Expanded Access via Telehealth: Section 2(c) removes geographic requirements for telehealth services, which allows individuals to access advance care planning services through telehealth without the usual geographic restrictions.
-
Broad Range of Eligible Providers: Section 2(a)(2) allows a wide variety of professionals to provide these services, including physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and qualified clinical social workers, providing more options for patients to discuss their care.
-
Targeted Discussions: According to Section 2(a)(1), these services allow individuals, families, caregivers, or representatives to discuss important health care preferences, future decisions, and the completion of advance directives.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Payment Restrictions: Section 2(b)(1)(B)(i) stipulates that the Secretary shall make payment to only one applicable provider for such services furnished to an individual during a specific period, which could limit a patient's ability to consult multiple providers for these services.
-
Prevention of Duplicative Payments: Section 2(b)(1)(B)(ii) prevents payments if they would be duplicative of other payments made under the Medicare title for such services.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Retirees+8Good For Seniors+8Good For Low Income Households+5
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+7Increases Medicare Funding+5
- 9/18/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Susan CollinsRepublican · Maine