MEDICARE COVERAGE OF ULTRASOUND SCREENING FOR ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSMS.

SEC. 5112. MEDICARE COVERAGE OF ULTRASOUND SCREENING FOR ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSMS.(a) In General.—Section 1861 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x) is amended—(1) in subsection (s)(2)—(A) by striking “and” at the end of subparagraph (Y);(B) by adding “and” at the end of subparagraph (Z) and moving such subparagraph 2 ems to the left; and(C) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:“(AA) ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (as defined in subsection (bbb)) for an individual—“(i) who receives a referral for such an ultrasound screening as a result of an initial preventive physical examination (as defined in section 1861(ww)(1));“(ii) who has not been previously furnished such an ultrasound screening under this title; and“(iii) who—“(I) has a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysm; or“(II) manifests risk factors included in a beneficiary category recommended for screening by the United States Preventive Services Task Force regarding abdominal aortic aneurysms;”; and120 STAT. 44(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:“Ultrasound Screening for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm“(bbb) The term ‘ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm’ means—“(1) a procedure using sound waves (or such other procedures using alternative technologies, of commensurate accuracy and cost, that the Secretary may specify) provided for the early detection of abdominal aortic aneurysm; and“(2) includes a physician’s interpretation of the results of the procedure.”.(b) Inclusion of Ultrasound Screening for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in Initial Preventive Physical Examination.—Section 1861(ww)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(ww)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:“(L) Ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm as defined in section 1861(bbb).”.(c) Payment for Ultrasound Screening for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.—Section 1848(j)(3) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–4(j)(3)) is amended by inserting “(2)(AA),” after “(2)(W),”.(d) Frequency.—Section 1862(a)(1) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395y(a)(1)) is amended—(1) by striking “and” at the end of subparagraph (L);(2) by striking the semicolon at the end of subparagraph (M) and inserting “, and”; and(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:“(N) in the case of ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm which is performed more frequently than is provided for under section 1861(s)(2)(AA);”.(e) Non-Application of Part B Deductible.—Section 1833(b) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l(b)) is amended in the first sentence—(1) by striking “and” before “(6)”; and(2) by inserting “, and (7) such deductible shall not apply with respect to ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (as defined in section 1861(bbb))” before the period at the end.(f) Effective Date.—The amendments made by this section shall apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 2007.