A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is called the ``Timely Access to Coverage Decisions Act''. It sets strict timeframes for Medicare administrative contractors to review local coverage determination requests and reconsideration requests. Contractors must decide if a request is complete within 60 days of receiving it. If a request is incomplete, the contractor must send a written notice detailing what information is missing within that same 60-day window. For complete requests, the contractor has up to one year to take required actions. The bill also details the process for issuing, reviewing, and finalizing specified local coverage determinations.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +6
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The legislation requires public notices, open meetings, published rationales, and responses to public comments regarding local coverage determinations, significantly increasing transparency.
- Scored +5
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
Establishing clear decision timelines and enhanced public and expert input processes for Medicare coverage determinations helps beneficiaries access necessary medical services more predictably.
- Scored +5
Would people over 65 be better off under this?
Medicare beneficiaries, predominantly seniors, benefit from timely reviews, structured appeals, and transparent public processes for local coverage decisions.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2(a) adds subparagraph (E) to the Social Security Act, which requires Medicare contractors to review formal local coverage determination requests and decide if they are complete within 60 days. This benefits individuals and groups by holding contractors to a clear, timely schedule instead of leaving requests open-ended.
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Section 2(a) adds subparagraph (E)(ii), which requires contractors to provide written notification within 60 days specifying what extra information is needed if a request is incomplete. This helps people quickly correct and resubmit their paperwork.
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Section 2(b) adds subparagraph (G), which gives interested parties the right to ask the Secretary to review a final determination made after a reconsideration request. This provides a helpful accountability check if a contractor misinterprets evidence or conflicts with other laws.
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Section 2(c) amends subparagraph (D)(i)(II) to require contractors to hold open public meetings, accept public comments, and secure the advice of an expert panel including physicians and patient advocates before a specified local coverage determination takes effect. This ensures the public and medical experts have a real voice in the coverage decision process.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 2(a) sets a timeline of up to one year for contractors to make a decision on complete formal requests, which could still force individuals and groups to wait an extended period of time for final answers regarding their coverage needs.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Establishing clear decision timelines and enhanced public and expert input processes for Medicare coverage determinations helps beneficiaries access necessary medical services more predictably. Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65? — The bill ensures structured and timely reviews of local coverage determinations and reconsideration requests under Medicare, improving administrative efficiency.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Medicare beneficiaries, predominantly seniors, benefit from timely reviews, structured appeals, and transparent public processes for local coverage decisions. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Veterans who qualify for Medicare can benefit from improved timeliness and accountability in local coverage determination requests.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The legislation requires public notices, open meetings, published rationales, and responses to public comments regarding local coverage determinations, significantly increasing transparency.
- 9/23/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Tom CottonRepublican · Arkansas