119-hr2045

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2045 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
 H. R. 2045

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage 
 of dental, vision, and hearing care under the Medicare program.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 March 11, 2025

 Mr. Doggett (for himself, Ms. Adams, Ms. Ansari, Ms. Balint, Ms. 
 Barragan, Mrs. Beatty, Mr. Beyer, Mr. Bishop, Ms. Bonamici, Mr. Boyle 
 of Pennsylvania, Mr. Carson, Mr. Carter of Louisiana, Mr. Casar, Mr. 
 Castro of Texas, Ms. Chu, Mr. Cleaver, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Connolly, Ms. 
Crockett, Mr. Cuellar, Mr. Davis of Illinois, Ms. Dean of Pennsylvania, 
 Ms. DeGette, Mrs. McClain Delaney, Ms. DeLauro, Mr. Deluzio, Mr. 
 DeSaulnier, Ms. Dexter, Mrs. Dingell, Ms. Escobar, Mr. Espaillat, Mr. 
 Evans of Pennsylvania, Ms. Leger Fernandez, Mr. Fields, Ms. Friedman, 
 Mr. Frost, Mr. Garamendi, Mr. Garcia of Illinois, Mr. Garcia of 
 California, Ms. Garcia of Texas, Mr. Goldman of New York, Mr. 
Gottheimer, Mr. Green of Texas, Mr. Grijalva, Mrs. Hayes, Ms. Hoyle of 
Oregon, Mr. Huffman, Mr. Jackson of Illinois, Ms. Jacobs, Ms. Jayapal, 
 Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Ms. Johnson of Texas, Ms. Kaptur, Mr. Khanna, 
Mr. Krishnamoorthi, Mr. Landsman, Mr. Larsen of Washington, Mr. Larson 
 of Connecticut, Ms. Lee of Pennsylvania, Ms. Lee of Nevada, Mr. Lieu, 
Ms. McBride, Ms. McClellan, Ms. McCollum, Mrs. Cherfilus-McCormick, Mr. 
 McGovern, Mr. Meeks, Ms. Meng, Mr. Mfume, Ms. Moore of Wisconsin, Mr. 
 Nadler, Mr. Norcross, Ms. Norton, Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, Ms. Omar, Ms. 
 Pingree, Mr. Pocan, Ms. Pou, Ms. Pressley, Mrs. Ramirez, Mr. Raskin, 
 Ms. Ross, Mr. Ruiz, Ms. Salinas, Ms. Sanchez, Ms. Scanlon, Ms. 
 Schakowsky, Mr. David Scott of Georgia, Ms. Sewell, Mr. Sherman, Ms. 
 Sherrill, Mr. Smith of Washington, Mr. Soto, Ms. Stansbury, Mr. 
 Swalwell, Mr. Takano, Mr. Thanedar, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Mr. 
 Thompson of California, Ms. Titus, Ms. Tlaib, Ms. Tokuda, Mr. Tonko, 
 Mr. Torres of New York, Mrs. Trahan, Mr. Vargas, Mr. Veasey, Ms. 
Velazquez, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, Ms. Waters, Mrs. Watson Coleman, Ms. 
Williams of Georgia, Ms. Wilson of Florida, Mr. McGarvey, Mrs. Foushee, 
Mrs. McIver, Ms. Lois Frankel of Florida, and Mr. Gomez) introduced the 
 following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and 
 Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a 
 period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the 
 committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

 A BILL

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage 
 of dental, vision, and hearing care under the Medicare program.

 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

 This Act may be cited as the ``Medicare Dental, Vision, and Hearing 
Benefit Act of 2025''.

SEC. 2. DENTAL AND ORAL HEALTH CARE.

    (a) Coverage.--

Section 1861

    (s)

    (2) of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 1395x

    (s)

    (2) ) is amended--

    (1) in subparagraph
            (II) , by striking ``and'' after the 
 semicolon at the end;

    (2) in subparagraph

    (JJ) , by adding ``and'' after the 
 semicolon at the end; and

    (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
 ``

    (KK) dental and oral health services (as defined in 
 subsection

    (nnn) );''.

    (b) Dental and Oral Health Services Defined.--

Section 1861 of the 
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x) is amended by adding at the end 
the following new subsection:

 ``Dental and Oral Health Services

 ``

    (nnn) The term `dental and oral health services' means--
 ``

    (1) preventative and screening services, such as oral 
 exams, dental cleanings, dental x-rays, and fluoride 
 treatments;
 ``

    (2) basic dental services, such as tooth restorations, 
 basic periodontics services, tooth extractions, and oral 
 disease management services;
 ``

    (3) major dental services, such as major tooth 
 restorations, major periodontics services, bridges, crowns, 
 root canals, and extractions;
 ``

    (4) emergency dental care; and
 ``

    (5) other necessary services related to dental or oral 
 health (as defined by the Secretary).''.
            (c) Payment; Coinsurance; and Limitations.--

    (1) In general.--

Section 1833

    (a)

    (1) of the Social Security 
 Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l

    (a)

    (1) ) is amended--
        (A) by striking ``and'' before ``

    (GG) ''; and
        (B) by inserting before the semicolon at the end 
 the following: ``, and

    (HH) with respect to dental and 
 oral health services (as defined in 

section 1861
            (lll) ), 
 the amount paid shall be the payment amount specified 
 under 

section 1834

    (aa) ''.

    (2) Payment and limits specified.--

Section 1834 of the 
 Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m) is amended by adding at 
 the end the following new subsection:
 ``

    (aa) Payment and Limits for Dental and Oral Health Services.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--The payment amount under this part for 
 dental and oral health services (as defined in 

section 1861

    (nnn) ) shall be, subject to paragraph

    (3) , the applicable 
 percent (specified in paragraph

    (2) ) of the lesser of the 
 actual charge for the services or the amount determined under 
 the payment basis determined under 

section 1848.
 ``

    (2) Applicable percent.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--For purposes of paragraph

    (1) , 
 except as provided in subparagraph
        (B) , the applicable 
 percent specified in this paragraph is--
 ``
            (i) with respect to services described in 
 

section 1861

    (nnn)

    (1) furnished during 2026 or a 
 subsequent year, 100 percent; and
 ``
            (ii) with respect to services not 
 described in clause
            (i) --
 ``
            (I) for a year before 2027, 0 
 percent;
 ``
            (II) for 2027, 30 percent;
 ``
            (III) for 2028, 60 percent; and
 ``
            (IV) for 2029 and each subsequent 
 year, 80 percent.
 ``
        (B) Special rule for certain low-income 
 individuals.--For purposes of paragraph

    (1) , the 
 applicable percent specified in this paragraph is, with 
 respect to services furnished to an individual who is a 
 subsidy eligible individual (as defined in 

section 1860D-14

    (a)

    (3) ), or who would be a subsidy eligible 
 individual if the individual were enrolled in a 
 prescription drug plan or MA-PD plan--
 ``
            (i) with respect to services described in 
 

section 1861

    (nnn)

    (1) , for 2026 and each 
 subsequent year, 100 percent; and
 ``
            (ii) with respect to services not 
 described in clause
            (i) , for 2027 and each 
 subsequent year, 80 percent.
 ``

    (3) Limitations and secretarial authority.--
 ``
        (A) Frequency.--With respect to dental and oral 
 health services that are--
 ``
            (i) routine dental cleanings, payment may 
 be made under this part for only two such 
 cleanings during a 12-month period; and
 ``
            (ii) routine exams, payment may be made 
 under this part for only two such exams during 
 a 12-month period.
 ``
        (B) Secretarial authority.--
 ``
            (i) Authority to apply additional 
 limitations.--The Secretary may apply such 
 other reasonable limitations on the extent to 
 which dental and oral services are covered 
 under this part, including through application 
 of a prior authorization requirement.
 ``
            (ii) Authority to modify coverage.--
 Notwithstanding any other provision of this 
 title, if the Secretary determines appropriate, 
 the Secretary may modify the coverage under 
 this part of dental and oral health services to 
 the extent that such modification is consistent 
 with the recommendations of the United States 
 Preventive Services Task Force.
 ``
            (iii) Authority to waive frequency 
 limitations.--Notwithstanding subparagraph
        (A) , 
 the Secretary may waive any frequency 
 limitation under such subparagraph for an 
 individual (or category of individuals) if 
 determined appropriate by the Secretary.''.
            (d) Payment Under Physician Fee Schedule.--

Section 1848

    (j)

    (3) of 
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-4

    (j)

    (3) ) is amended by 
inserting ``

    (2) (KK) ,'' before ``

    (3) ''.

    (e) Dentures.--

    (1) In general.--

Section 1861

    (s)

    (8) of the Social Security 
 Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x

    (s)

    (8) ) is amended--
        (A) by striking ``(other than dental)'' and 
 inserting ``(including dentures)''; and
        (B) by striking ``internal body''.

    (2) Special payment rules.--

Section 1834

    (a) of the Social 
 Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m

    (a) ) is amended by adding at the 
 end the following new paragraph:
 ``

    (23) Payment and limits for dentures.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--The payment amount under this 
 part for dentures shall be, subject to subparagraph
            (C) , the applicable percent (specified in subparagraph
        (B) ) of the amount otherwise payable for such dentures 
 under this section.
 ``
        (B) Applicable percent.--For purposes of 
 subparagraph
        (A) , the applicable percent specified in 
 this subparagraph is--
 ``
            (i) for a year before 2027, 0 percent; 
 and
 ``
            (ii) for 2027 and each subsequent year, 
 80 percent.
 ``
            (C) Limitations and secretarial authority.--
 ``
            (i) In general.--Payment may be made 
 under this part for an individual for--
 ``
            (I) not more than one full upper 
 and one full lower denture once every 
 five years; and
 ``
            (II) not more than one partial 
 upper denture and one partial lower 
 denture once every five years.
 ``
            (ii) Secretarial authority.--
 ``
            (I) Authority to apply additional 
 limitations.--The Secretary may apply 
 such other reasonable limitations on 
 the extent to which dentures are 
 covered under this part, including 
 through application of a prior 
 authorization requirement.
 ``
            (II) Authority to modify 
 coverage.--Notwithstanding any other 
 provision of this title, if the 
 Secretary determines appropriate, the 
 Secretary may modify the coverage under 
 this part of dentures to the extent 
 that such modification is consistent 
 with the recommendations of the United 
 States Preventive Services Task Force.
 ``
            (III) Authority to waive 
 frequency limitations.--Notwithstanding 
 clause
            (i) , the Secretary may waive any 
 frequency limitation under such clause 
 for an individual (or category of 
 individuals) if determined appropriate 
 by the Secretary.''.

    (f) Repeal of Ground for Exclusion.--

Section 1862

    (a) of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395y) is amended by striking paragraph

    (12) .

    (g) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 2026.

SEC. 3. VISION CARE.

    (a) Coverage.--

Section 1861

    (s)

    (2) of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 1395x

    (s)

    (2) ), as amended by 

section 2, is further amended--

    (1) in subparagraph

    (JJ) , by striking ``and'' after the 
 semicolon at the end;

    (2) in subparagraph

    (KK) , by adding ``and'' after the 
 semicolon at the end; and

    (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
 ``
            (LL) vision services (as defined in subsection

    (ooo) );''.

    (b) Vision Services Defined.--

Section 1861 of the Social Security 
Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x), as amended by 

section 2, is further amended by 
adding at the end the following new subsection:

 ``Vision Services

 ``

    (ooo) The term `vision services' means--
 ``

    (1) routine eye examinations and procedures performed 
 (during the course of any eye examination) to determine the 
 refractive state of the eyes; and
 ``

    (2) other necessary services related to eye and vision 
 health (as defined by the Secretary).''.
            (c) Payment; Coinsurance; and Limitations.--

    (1) In general.--

Section 1833

    (a)

    (1) of the Social Security 
 Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l

    (a)

    (1) ), as amended by 

section 2, is 
 further amended--
        (A) by striking ``and'' before ``

    (HH) ''; and
        (B) by inserting before the semicolon at the end 
 the following: ``, and
            (II) with respect to vision 
 services (as defined in 

section 1861
            (mmm) ), the amount 
 paid shall be the payment amount specified under 
 

section 1834

    (bb) ''.

    (2) Payment and limits specified.--

Section 1834 of the 
 Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m), as amended by 

section 2, 
 is further amended by adding at the end the following new 
 subsection:
 ``

    (bb) Payment and Limits for Vision Services.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--The payment amount under this part for 
 vision services (as defined in 

section 1861

    (ooo) ) shall be, 
 subject to paragraph

    (2) , 80 percent of the lesser of the 
 actual charge for the services or the amount determined under 
 the payment basis determined under 

section 1848.
 ``

    (2) Limitations and secretarial authority.--
 ``
        (A) Frequency.--With respect to routine eye 
 exams, payment may be made under this part for only one 
 such exam during a 12-month period.
 ``
        (B) Secretarial authority.--
 ``
            (i) Authority to apply additional 
 limitations.--The Secretary may apply other 
 reasonable limitations on the extent to which 
 vision services are covered under this part, 
 including through application of a prior 
 authorization requirement.
 ``
            (ii) Authority to modify coverage.--
 Notwithstanding any other provision of this 
 title, if the Secretary determines appropriate, 
 the Secretary may modify the coverage under 
 this part of vision services to the extent that 
 such modification is consistent with the 
 recommendations of the United States Preventive 
 Services Task Force.
 ``
            (iii) Authority to waive frequency 
 limitations.--Notwithstanding subparagraph
        (A) , 
 the Secretary may waive any frequency 
 limitation under such subparagraph for an 
 individual (or category of individuals) if 
 determined appropriate by the Secretary.''.
            (d) Payment Under Physician Fee Schedule.--

Section 1848

    (j)

    (3) of 
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-4

    (j)

    (3) ) is amended by 
inserting ``

    (2)
            (LL) ,'' after ``

    (2) (KK) ,'' (as added by 

section 2).

    (e) Special Payment Rules for Eyeglasses, Contact Lenses, and Low 
Vision Devices.--

Section 1834

    (a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
1395m

    (a) ), as amended by 

section 2, is further amended by adding at the 
end the following:
 ``

    (24) Payment and limits for eyeglasses and contact 
 lenses.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--The payment amount under this 
 part for eyeglass lenses, eyeglass frames, and contact 
 lenses shall be, subject to subparagraph
        (B) , 80 
 percent of the amount otherwise payable for such 
 eyeglass lenses, eyeglass frames, and contact lenses, 
 respectively, under this section.
 ``
        (B) Limitations and secretarial authority.--
 ``
            (i) In general.--Subject to clause
            (iii) , 
 payment may be made under this part (other than 
 for eyewear described in 

section 1861

    (s)

    (8) ) 
 for an individual for--
 ``
            (I) not more than one pair of 
 eyeglass lenses during any 12-month 
 period in an amount not exceeding $100;
 ``
            (II) not more than one set of 
 eyeglass frames during any 24-month 
 period in an amount not exceeding $100; 
 and
 ``
            (III) contact lenses, only to the 
 extent that the sum of such payments 
 for contact lenses does not exceed a 
 limitation of $200 during any 24-month 
 period beginning during the first year 
 beginning at least six months after the 
 date of the enactment of this paragraph 
 (or, beginning during a subsequent 
 year, such limitation for a 24-month 
 period beginning in the previous year 
 increase by an appropriate inflation 
 adjustment specified by the Secretary).
 ``
            (ii) Secretarial authority.--
 ``
            (I) Authority to apply additional 
 limitations.--The Secretary may apply 
 such other reasonable limitations on 
 the extent to which eyeglass lenses, 
 eyeglass frames, and contact lenses are 
 covered under this part, including 
 through application of a prior 
 authorization requirement.
 ``
            (II) Authority to modify 
 coverage.--Notwithstanding any other 
 provision of this title, if the 
 Secretary determines appropriate, the 
 Secretary may modify the coverage under 
 this part of eyeglass lenses, eyeglass 
 frames, and contact lenses to the 
 extent that such modification is 
 consistent with the recommendations of 
 the United States Preventive Services 
 Task Force.
 ``
            (III) Authority to waive 
 frequency limitations.--Notwithstanding 
 clause
            (i) , the Secretary may waive any 
 frequency limitation under such clause 
 for an individual (or category of 
 individuals) if determined appropriate 
 by the Secretary.
 ``
            (iii) Update of payment limits to account 
 for inflation.--With respect to eyeglass lenses 
 and contact lenses furnished during 2027 or a 
 subsequent year, the Secretary shall increase 
 the dollar amounts in effect under this 
 subparagraph for such year by the percentage 
 change in the consumer price index for all 
 urban consumers (United States city average) 
 for the 12-month period ending with June of the 
 previous year.
 ``

    (25) Payment and limits for low vision devices.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--The payment amount under this 
 part for low vision devices shall be 80 percent of the 
 amount otherwise payable for low vision devices under 
 this section.
 ``
        (B) Secretarial authority.--
 ``
            (i) Authority to apply limitations.--The 
 Secretary may apply reasonable limitations on 
 the extent to which low vision devices are 
 covered under this part, including through 
 application of a prior authorization 
 requirement.
 ``
            (ii) Authority to modify coverage.--
 Notwithstanding any other provision of this 
 title, if the Secretary determines appropriate, 
 the Secretary may modify the coverage under 
 this part of low vision devices to the extent 
 that such modification is consistent with the 
 recommendations of the United States Preventive 
 Services Task Force.
 ``
            (C) Low vision device defined.--In this 
 paragraph, the term `low vision device' means a device, 
 prescribed by a physician, that magnifies, enhances, or 
 otherwise augments or interprets visual images 
 irrespective of the size, form, or technological 
 features of such device and does not include ordinary 
 eyeglasses or contact lenses. In the previous sentence, 
 the term `ordinary eyeglasses or contact lenses' means 
 lenses that are intended to fully correct visual acuity 
 or fully eliminate refractive error.''.

    (f) Definition of Durable Medical Equipment To Include Eyeglasses, 
Contact Lenses, and Low Vision Devices.--

Section 1861

    (n) of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x

    (n) ) is amended--

    (1) by striking ``and'' before ``eye tracking'' and 
 inserting a comma; and

    (2) by inserting ``, and eyeglass lenses, low vision 
 devices (as defined in 

section 1834

    (a)

    (25) ), eyeglass frames, 
 and contact lenses'' before ``; except''.

    (g) Repeal of Ground for Exclusion.--

Section 1862

    (a)

    (7) of the 
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395y

    (a)

    (7) ) is amended by striking ``, 
eyeglasses (other than eyewear described in 

section 1861

    (s)

    (8) ) or eye 
examinations for the purpose of prescribing, fitting, or changing 
eyeglasses, procedures performed (during the course of any eye 
examination) to determine the refractive state of the eyes''.

    (h) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 2026.

SEC. 4. HEARING CARE.

    (a) Coverage.--

    (1) In general.--

Section 1861

    (s)

    (2) of the Social Security 
 Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x

    (s)

    (2) ), as amended by sections 2 and 3, is 
 further amended--
        (A) in subparagraph

    (KK) , by striking ``and'' at 
 the end;
        (B) in subparagraph
            (LL) , by inserting ``and'' at 
 the end; and
            (C) by adding at the end the following new 
 subparagraph:
 ``
            (MM) audiology services (as defined in subsection
            (ll) (3) ) and hearing services (as defined in subsection
            (ll) (5) );''.

    (2) Hearing services defined.--

Section 1861
            (ll) of the 
 Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x
            (ll) ) is amended--
        (A) in the subsection heading, by inserting ``; 
 Hearing Services'' after ``Audiology Services''; and
        (B) by adding at the end the following new 
 paragraph:
 ``

    (5) The term `hearing services' means--
 ``
        (A) routine hearing exams and exams for hearing aids; and
 ``
        (B) other necessary services related to hearing health 
 (as defined by the Secretary).''.

    (b) Payment; Coinsurance; and Limitations.--

    (1) In general.--

Section 1833

    (a)

    (1) of the Social Security 
 Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l

    (a)

    (1) ), as amended by sections 2 and 3, is 
 further amended--
        (A) by striking ``and'' before ``
            (II) ''; and
        (B) by inserting before the semicolon at the end 
 the following: ``, and

    (JJ) with respect to audiology 
 services (as defined in 

section 1861
            (ll) (3) ) and 
 hearing services (as defined in 

section 1861
            (ll) (5) ), 
 the amount paid shall be the payment amount specified 
 under 

section 1834
            (cc) ''.

    (2) Payment and limits specified.--

Section 1834 of the 
 Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m), as amended by sections 2 
 and 3, is further amended by adding at the end the following 
 new subsection:
 ``
            (cc) Payment and Limits for Hearing Services.--
 ``

    (1) In general.--The payment amount under this part for 
 audiology services (as defined in 

section 1861
            (ll) (3) ) and 
 hearing services (as defined in 

section 1861
            (ll) (5) ), shall be, 
 subject to paragraph

    (2) , 80 percent of the lesser of the 
 actual charge for the services or the amount determined under 
 the payment basis determined under 

section 1848.
 ``

    (2) Secretarial authority.--
 ``
        (A) Authority to apply limitations.--The 
 Secretary may apply reasonable limitations on the 
 extent to which audiology services and hearing services 
 are covered under this part, including through 
 application of a prior authorization requirement.
 ``
        (B) Authority to modify coverage.--
 Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, if 
 the Secretary determines appropriate, the Secretary may 
 modify the coverage under this part of audiology 
 services and hearing services to the extent that such 
 modification is consistent with the recommendations of 
 the United States Preventive Services Task Force.''.
            (c) Payment Under the Physician Fee Schedule.--

Section 1848

    (j)

    (3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-4

    (j)

    (3) ), as amended by 

section 2
            (d) , is further amended by inserting ``

    (2)
            (MM) ,'' before 
``

    (3) ''.
            (d) Hearing Aids.--

    (1) Repeal of ground for exclusion.--

Section 1862

    (a)

    (7) of 
 the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395y

    (a)

    (7) ), as amended by 
 

section 3

    (g) , is further amended by striking ``, hearing aids 
 or examinations therefor,''.

    (2) Definition of durable medical equipment to include 
 hearing aids.--

Section 1861

    (n) of the Social Security Act (42 
 U.S.C. 1395x

    (n) ), as amended by 

section 3, is further amended 
 by inserting ``hearing aids,'' before ``and eyeglass lenses''.

    (3) Special payment rules for hearing aids.--

Section 1834

    (a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m

    (a) ), as 
 amended by sections 2 and 3, is further amended by adding at 
 the end the following new paragraph:
 ``

    (26) Payment and limits for hearing aids.--
 ``
        (A) In general.--The payment amount under this 
 part for hearing aids shall be, subject to subparagraph
        (B) , 80 percent of the amount otherwise payable for 
 hearing aids under this section.
 ``
        (B) Limitations and secretarial authority.--
 ``
            (i) In general.--Payment may be made 
 under this part for an individual for not more 
 than one hearing aid per ear during a 48-month 
 period.
 ``
            (ii) Secretarial authority.--
 ``
            (I) Authority to apply additional 
 limitations.--The Secretary may apply 
 additional limitations on the extent to 
 which hearing aids are covered under 
 this part, including through 
 application of a prior authorization 
 requirement and through application of 
 criteria for a minimum level of hearing 
 loss for coverage of an initial or 
 replacement hearing aid.
 ``
            (II) Authority to modify 
 coverage.--Notwithstanding any other 
 provision of this title, if the 
 Secretary determines appropriate, the 
 Secretary may modify the coverage under 
 this part of hearing aids to the extent 
 that such modification is consistent 
 with the recommendations of the United 
 States Preventive Services Task Force.
 ``
            (iii) Authority to waive frequency 
 limitations.--Notwithstanding clause
            (i) , the 
 Secretary may waive any frequency limitation 
 under such clause for an individual (or 
 category of individuals) if determined 
 appropriate by the Secretary.''.

    (e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 2026.

SEC. 5. NONAPPLICATION OF COMPETITIVE ACQUISITION TO CERTAIN ITEMS.

 

Section 1847

    (a)

    (2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-
3

    (a)

    (2) ) is amended--

    (1) by striking ``and excluding'' and inserting 
 ``excluding''; and

    (2) by inserting ``, and excluding dentures, eyeglass 
 lenses, contact lenses, and hearing aids'' before the period at 
 the end.

SEC. 6. INCLUSION OF AN ORAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL ON THE UNITED STATES 
 PREVENTIVE SERVICES TASK FORCE.

    (a) In General.--The first sentence of 

section 915

    (a)

    (1) of the 
Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 299b-4

    (a)

    (1) ) is amended by 
inserting ``, including at least 1 oral health professional'' before 
the period at the end.

    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection

    (a) shall 
apply beginning on January 1 of the first year beginning at least 6 
months after the date of the enactment of this Act.
 <all>