blood deductibles

blood deductibles Sec. 135. (a) (1) Section 1813(a)(2) of the Social Security Act (as redesignated by section 129(c)(3) of this Act) is amended to read as follows: “(2) The amount payable to any provider of services under this part for services furnished an individual during any spell of illness shall be further reduced by a deduction equal to the cost of the first three pints of whole blood (or equivalent quantities of packed red blood cells, as defined under regulations) furnished to him as part of such services during such spell of illness.” (b) Section 1866(a)(2)(C) of such Act (as amended by section 129(c)(12)(B) of this Act) is amended— (1) by striking out “may also charge” and inserting in lieu thereof “may in accordance with its customary practice also appropriately charge”; (2) by inserting after “whole blood” the following: “(or equivalent quantities of packed red blood cells, as defined under regulations)”; (3) by inserting after “blood” where it appears in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) the following: “(or equivalent quantities of packed red blood cells, as so defined)”; and (4) by adding at the end thereof the following new sentence: “For purposes of clause (iii) of the preceding sentence, whole 81 Stat. 853blood (or equivalent quantities of packed red blood cells, as so defined) furnished an individual shall be deemed replaced when the provider of services is given one pint of blood for each pint of blood (or equivalent quantities of packed red blood cells, as so defined) furnished such individual with respect to which a deduction is imposed under section 1813(a)(2).” (c) Section 1833(b) of such Act (as amended by sections 129(c)(7) and 131 (b) of this Act) is amended by adding at the end thereof the following new sentence: “The total amount of the expenses incurred by an individual as determined under the preceding sentence shall, after the reduction specified in such sentence, be further reduced by an amount equal to the expenses incurred for the first three pints of whole blood (or equivalent quantities of packed red blood cells, as defined under regulations) furnished to the individual during the calendar year, except that such deductible for such blood shall in accordance with regulations be appropriately reduced to the extent that there has been a replacement of such blood (or equivalent quantities of packed red blood cells, as so defined); and for such purposes blood (or equivalent quantities of packed red blood cells, as so defined) furnished such individual shall be deemed replaced when the institution or other person furnishing such blood (or such equivalent quantities of packed red blood cells, as so defined) is given one pint of blood for each pint of blood (or equivalent quantities of packed red blood cells, as so defined) furnished such individual with respect to which a deduction is made under this sentence.” (d) The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to payment for blood (or packed red blood cells) furnished an individual after December 31, 1967.