This bill, the Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act of 2025, changes parts of the Social Security Act to expand how Medicare covers audiology services. It adds "audiology services" to the list of covered items and defines those services. The bill lets qualified audiologists provide diagnostic and treatment hearing and balance services without a requirement that a physician refer, supervise, or be involved. It says Medicare payment for these audiology services will be 80 percent of the lesser of the actual charge or the fee schedule amount under section 1848. The bill also allows qualified audiologists to be paid on an assignment-related basis and adds them as permitted practitioners in Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). The changes apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 2027. The bill also includes a rule that it does not expand the types of audiology services or payments beyond what was payable as of December 31, 2026.
Proponents (the bill text and sponsors) would make audiology services a defined, covered Medicare benefit; let qualified audiologists furnish covered diagnostic and treatment services without physician referral or supervision requirements; set Medicare payment at 80 percent of the lesser of actual charge or the section 1848 fee schedule amount; allow assignment-related payment to audiologists; and include qualified audiologists as permitted practitioners in RHCs and FQHCs. The changes take effect January 1, 2027.
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