COVERAGE OF SERVICES OF SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS AND AUDIOLOGISTS.

SEC. 146. COVERAGE OF SERVICES OF SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS AND AUDIOLOGISTS. (a) Services Defined.— Section 1861 (42 U.S.C. 1395x), as amended by section 148(f)(6)(E), is amended by inserting after subsection (kk) the following new subsection: “Speech-Language Pathology Services; Audiology Services “(ll) (1) The term ‘speech-language pathology services’ means such speech, language, and related function assessment and rehabilitation services furnished by a qualified speech-language pathologist as the speech-language pathologist is legally authorized to perform under State law (or the State regulatory mechanism provided by State law) as would otherwise be covered if furnished by a physician. “(2) The term ‘audiology services’ means such hearing and balance assessment services furnished by a qualified audiologist as the audiologist is legally authorized to perform under State law (or the State regulatory mechanism provided by State law), as would otherwise be covered if furnished by a physician. (3) In this subsection: “(A) The term ‘qualified speech-language pathologist’ means an individual with a master’s or doctoral degree in speech language pathology who— “(i) is licensed as a speech-language pathologist by the State in which the individual furnishes such services, or “(ii) in the case of an individual who furnishes services in a State which does not license speech-language pathologists, has successfully completed 350 clock hours of supervised clinical practicum (or is in the process of accumulating such supervised clinical experience), performed not less than 9 months of supervised full-time speech-language pathology services after obtaining a master’s or doctoral degree in speech-language pathology or a related field, and successfully completed a national examination in speech-language pathology approved by the Secretary. “(B) The term ‘qualified audiologist means an individual with a master’s or doctoral degree in audiology who— “(i) is licensed as an audiologist by the State in which the individual furnishes such services, or “(ii) in the case of an individual who furnishes services in a State which does not license audiologists, has success-fully completed 350 clock hours of supervised clinical practicum (or is in the process of accumulating such supervised clinical experience), performed not less than 9 months of supervised full-time audiology services after obtaining a master’s or doctoral degree in audiology or a related field, and successfully completed a national examination in audiology approved by the Secretary”, 108 STAT. 4429 (b) Conforming Amendments Relating to Medicare Treatment of Speech and Language Services.— (1) Extended care services.— Section 1861(h)(3) (42 U.S.C. 1395x(h)(3)) is amended by striking “, occupational, or speech therapy” and inserting “or occupational therapy or speech-language pathology services”. (2) Home health services.— Section 1861(m)(2) (42 U.S.C. 1395x(m)(2)) is amended by striking “, occupational, or speech therapy” and inserting “or occupational therapy or speech-language pathology services”. (3) Outpatient physical therapy services.— The fourth sentence of section 1861(p) (42 U.S.C. 1395x(p)) is amended by striking “speech pathology services” and inserting “speech language pathology services”. (4) Comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility service.— Section 1861(cc)(1)(B) (42 U.S.C. 1395x(cc)(1)(B)) is amended by striking “speech pathology services” and inserting “speech-language pathology services”. (5) Hospice care.— Section 1861(dd)(l)(B) (42 U.S.C. 1395x(dd)(1)(B)) is amended by striking “therapy or speech language pathology” and inserting “therapy, or speech-language pathology services”. (c) Effective Date.— The amendments made by this section shall take effect on January 1, 1995.