Bills · HR 4475
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 4475Health
Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act
INTRO JUL 17· LAST ACTION JUL 17
READING
3MIN
COSPONSORS
31BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it directly impacts the safety and quality of care for hundreds of thousands of Medicare beneficiaries who rely on orthotics and prosthetics for mobility and daily function. By stopping payments for drop-shipped devices without professional training, the bill aims to prevent patients from receiving devices that are ill-fitting or used improperly, which can lead to injury, discomfort, and wasted healthcare dollars. It addresses concerns about potential fraud and abuse where devices might be sent to patients who don't need them or don't know how to use them.
If this bill becomes law, patients could expect better fitting and safer use of their devices due to mandatory professional interaction, and clearer pathways for replacing custom items. If it doesn't pass, the current system allowing drop shipments without mandatory training could continue, potentially leaving patients vulnerable to poorly fitted or misused devices and continuing avenues for fraud. The changes to competitive bidding also impact how specialized professionals can offer their services, potentially affecting access to expertise.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Medicare will no longer pay for orthotics and prosthetics (excluding supplies) that are directly shipped to a patient without prior training from a qualified professional on how to use, fit, and care for the item.
This aims to ensure patients receive proper guidance for complex medical devices, reducing misuse and potential harm.
PROVISION 02
Physical therapists, occupational therapists, orthotists, and prosthetists will be added to the list of professionals exempt from certain competitive bidding rules when furnishing specific orthotic and prosthetic items.
This could improve patient access to care from these specialized professionals by reducing administrative hurdles for them.
PROVISION 03
Medicare coverage for the replacement of custom-fitted orthotics and custom-fabricated orthotic devices will be explicitly ensured.
This clarifies and expands coverage, allowing beneficiaries to replace essential custom devices when they are worn out or no longer functional.
PROVISION 04
The Secretary of Health and Human Services must create final regulations to put these changes into effect within one year after the bill becomes law.
This sets a clear timeline for implementing the new rules and ensuring they are consistently applied.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 31
R· Pennsylvania
YRS IN OFFICE
17
BILLS LED
49
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 65%
DEM 21 REP 10 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJUL 17
Introduced in House
JUL 17
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.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 4475
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJul 17, 2025
Last actionJul 17, 2025
READER REACTIONS
OVERALL SENTIMENT
No reactions yet. Be the first to weigh in.
Discussion
Loading comments...
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JUL 17, 2025
House BillHR 4475Health
Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Patient-Centered Care Act
INTRODUCED JUL 17, 2025· LAST ACTION JUL 17, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
3 min
COSPONSORS
31
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
