STUDY ON PORTABLE DIAGNOSTIC ULTRASOUND SERVICES FOR BENEFICIARIES IN SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES.

SEC. 513. STUDY ON PORTABLE DIAGNOSTIC ULTRASOUND SERVICES FOR BENEFICIARIES IN SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES.(a) Study.—The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study of portable diagnostic ultrasound services furnished to medicare beneficiaries in skilled nursing facilities. Such study shall consider the following:(1) Types of equipment; training.—The types of portable diagnostic ultrasound services furnished to such beneficiaries, the types of portable ultrasound equipment used to furnish such services, and the technical skills, or training, or both, required for technicians to furnish such services.(2) Clinical appropriateness.—The clinical appropriateness of transporting portable diagnostic ultrasound diagnostic and technicians to patients in skilled nursing facilities as opposed to transporting such patients to a hospital or other facility that furnishes diagnostic ultrasound services.(3) Financial impact.—The financial impact if Medicare were make a separate payment for portable ultrasound diagnostic services, including the impact of separate payments—(A) for transportation and technician services for residents during a resident in a part A stay, that would otherwise be paid for under the prospective payment system for covered skilled nursing facility services (under section 1888(e) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395yy(e)); and(B) for such services for residents in a skilled nursing facility after a part A stay.(4) Credentialing requirements.—Whether the Secretary should establish credentialing or other requirements for technicians that furnish diagnostic ultrasound services to medicare beneficiaries.(b) Report.—Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report on the study conducted under subsection (a), and shall include any recommendations for legislation or administrative change as the Comptroller General determines appropriate.