Summary: Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to repeal the prohibition against Medicare participation by physician-owned hospitals that do not have a provider agreement by August 1, 2010, which nonetheless allows their Medicare participation under a rural provider and hospital exception to a specified ownership or investment prohibition if they meet certain requirements. Amends the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 to repeal provisions: (1) postponing from August 1, 2010, to December 31, 2010, the date by which physician-owned hospitals must have a provider agreement in order to participate in Medicare under a rural provider and hospital exception to the physician-ownership or -investment prohibition if they also meet certain requirements addressing conflicts of interest, bona fide investments, patient safety issues, and expansion limitations; and (2) modifying the expansion limitation imposed on such a rural hospital Restores related previous law amended or repealed by PPACA as if PPACA had not been enacted.

amends patient_protection affordable care act ppaca repeal prohibition medicare participation physician owned hospitals provider agreement august nonetheless allows medicare participation rural provider hospital exception specified ownership investment prohibition meet certain requirements amends health_care_and_education reconciliation act repeal provisions august december date physician owned hospitals provider agreement order participate medicare rural provider hospital exception physician ownership prohibition meet certain requirements addressing conflicts interest bona fide investments patient safety issues expansion limitations modifying expansion limitation imposed rural hospital restores related previous law amended repealed ppaca ppaca enacted


Summary: Optometric Equity in Medicaid Act - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require coverage under Medicaid of services of optometrists.

optometric equity title xix medicaid social security act require coverage medicaid services optometrists


Summary: Medicare Physician Payment Transparency and Assessment Act of 2011 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to identify physician services annually (currently, periodically) as being potentially misvalued using specified criteria. Authorizes the Secretary to use existing processes to receive recommendations on the review and appropriate adjustment of potentially misvalued physician services, but only to the extent consistent with the use of analytic contractors. Requires the Secretary of HHS to use analytic contractors to identify, and analyze services identified as being, potentially misvalued physician services, and perform related tasks as currently authorized.

assessment act amends title xviii medicare social security act amended patient_protection affordable care act direct secretary health_and_human_services hhs identify physician services annually currently periodically potentially misvalued specified criteria authorizes secretary use existing processes receive recommendations review appropriate adjustment potentially misvalued physician services extent consistent use analytic contractors requires secretary hhs use analytic contractors identify analyze services identified potentially misvalued physician services perform related tasks currently authorized


Summary: Medicare Medically Necessary Dental Care Act of 2011 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of medically necessary dental procedures.

amends title xviii medicare social security act provide coverage medically necessary dental procedures


Summary: Federal Acupuncture Coverage Act of 2011 - Amends part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act and federal civil service law relating to the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program to cover qualified acupuncturist services.

federal acupuncture coverage act amends supplementary_medical_insurance title xviii medicare social security act federal civil service law relating federal_employees_health_benefits_program cover qualified acupuncturist services


Summary: Health Outcomes, Planning, and Education for Alzheimer's Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover comprehensive Alzheimer's disease and related dementia diagnosis and services.

education alzheimer act amends title xviii medicare social security act cover comprehensive alzheimer disease related dementia diagnosis services


Summary: Rural Hospital Protection Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), in determining reasonable costs for reimbursements to critical access hospitals (CAHs) after January 1, 2004, to include certain health care related taxes as allowable costs. Prohibits any offset, in computing such costs, against tax assessments paid by such a hospital of amounts the hospital receives from a state, if the Secretary has not determined that a hold harmless provision, meeting specified criteria, is in effect with respect to the health care related tax.

title xviii medicare social security act direct secretary health_and_human_services hhs determining reasonable costs reimbursements critical access hospitals january include certain health care related taxes allowable costs prohibits offset computing costs tax assessments paid hospital amounts hospital receives state secretary determined hold harmless provision meeting specified criteria effect respect health care related tax


Summary: Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act of 2011 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to repeal the cap on outpatient physical therapy, speech-language pathology, and occupational therapy services of the type furnished by a physician or as an incident to physicians' services.

medicare_access_to_rehabilitation_services_act amends title xviii medicare social security act repeal cap outpatient physical therapy speech language pathology occupational therapy services type furnished physician incident physicians services


Summary: Personalize Your Care Act of 2011 - Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) to cover a Voluntary Advance Care Planning Consultation. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make grants to eligible entities to: (1) establish statewide programs for physician orders for life-sustaining treatment, or (2) expand or enhance existing programs for physician orders for life-sustaining treatment. Directs the Secretary to adopt, by rule, standards for a qualified electronic health record, with respect to patient communications with a health care provider about values and goals of care, to adequately display the patient's current: (1) advance directive, and/or (2) physician order for life-sustaining treatment. Requires under Medicare and Medicaid that an advance directive validly executed outside the state in which the directive is presented must be given effect by a service provider or an organization to the same extent as an advance directive validly executed under the law of the state in which it is presented. Requires that, in the absence of a validly executed advance directive, any authentic expression of a person's wishes with respect to health care be honored.

personalize care act amends titles xviii medicare xix medicaid cover voluntary advance care planning consultation directs secretary health_and_human_services hhs grants eligible entities establish statewide programs physician orders life sustaining treatment expand enhance existing programs physician orders life sustaining treatment directs secretary adopt rule standards qualified electronic health record respect patient communications health care provider values goals care adequately display patient current advance directive physician order life sustaining treatment requires medicare medicaid advance directive validly executed outside state directive presented given effect service provider organization extent advance directive validly executed law state presented requires absence validly executed advance directive authentic expression person wishes respect health care honored


Summary: Breaking Barriers to Oral Health Act of 2011 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants to or enter into contracts with eligible entities to purchase portable or mobile dental equipment and to pay for appropriate operational costs for the provision of free dental services to underserved populations that are delivered in a manner consistent with state licensing laws. Directs the Secretary to award grants to or enter into contracts with eligible entities to collaborate with state, county, or local public officials and other stakeholders in order to develop and implement initiatives to: (1) improve oral health education and dental disease prevention; (2) reduce barriers in a manner that increases dental provider participation in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP, formerly known as SCHIP); (3) make the dental delivery system providing dental services under Medicaid or CHIP more efficient by taking actions necessary to facilitate the establishment of dental homes; and (4) address geographic, language, or cultural barriers in the provision of dental services.

breaking barriers oral health act amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services hhs award grants enter contracts eligible entities purchase portable mobile dental equipment pay appropriate operational costs provision free dental services underserved populations delivered manner consistent state licensing laws directs secretary award grants enter contracts eligible entities collaborate state county local public officials stakeholders order develop implement initiatives improve oral health education dental disease prevention reduce barriers manner increases dental provider participation medicaid known schip dental delivery system providing dental services medicaid chip efficient taking actions necessary facilitate establishment dental homes address geographic language cultural barriers provision dental services


Summary: Medicare Patient Empowerment Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to allow any Medicare beneficiary to enter into a contract with a non-participating (as well as with a participating) physician or practitioner for any item or service covered by Medicare. Allows such beneficiaries to submit a claim for Medicare payment in the amount that would otherwise apply if the claim had been filed by a participating physician or practitioner in the payment area where the physician or practitioner covered by the contract resides. Requires a Medicare beneficiary to agree in writing in such a contract to: (1) pay the physician or practitioner for a Medicare-covered item or service; and (2) submit (in lieu of the physician or practitioner) a claim for Medicare payment. Allows a beneficiary, however, to negotiate, as a term of the contract, for the physician or practitioner to file such claims on the beneficiary's behalf. Preempts state laws from limiting the amount of charges for physician and practitioner services for which Medicare payment is made.

medicare patient empowerment act amends title xviii medicare social security act allow medicare beneficiary enter contract non participating participating physician practitioner item service covered medicare allows beneficiaries submit claim medicare payment apply claim filed participating physician practitioner payment area physician practitioner covered contract resides requires medicare beneficiary agree writing contract pay physician practitioner medicare covered item service submit lieu physician practitioner claim medicare payment allows beneficiary negotiate term contract physician practitioner file claims beneficiary behalf preempts state laws limiting charges physician practitioner services medicare payment


Summary: Mammogram and MRI Availability Act of 2011 - Amends the Public Health Service Act and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to require a group or individual health plan that provides coverage for diagnostic mammography for any woman 40 years old or older to provide no less favorable coverage for annual screening mammography for such a woman, and diagnostic mammography, annual screening mammography, and annual magnetic resonance imaging for any high risk woman. Prohibits a health plan from denying enrollment or renewal solely to avoid the requirements of this Act, providing monetary incentives to encourage women to accept less than such minimum protections, penalizing providers for providing care in accordance with this Act, or providing incentives to induce providers to provide care in a manner inconsistent with this Act.

mammogram availability act amends public_health_service_act employee retirement income security act erisa require group individual health plan provides coverage diagnostic mammography woman years old older provide favorable coverage annual screening mammography woman diagnostic mammography annual screening mammography annual magnetic resonance imaging high risk woman prohibits health plan denying enrollment renewal solely avoid requirements act providing monetary incentives encourage women accept minimum protections penalizing providers providing care accordance act providing incentives induce providers provide care manner inconsistent act


Summary: Dental Health Promotion Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow reimbursement from flexible spending accounts for products used to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent the onset of tooth decay (caries), periodontal diseases, and conditions ailing the teeth, gums, and mouth, or affecting their functioning.

dental health promotion act amends internal revenue code allow reimbursement flexible spending accounts products diagnose cure mitigate treat prevent onset decay caries diseases conditions teeth mouth affecting functioning


Summary: Dental Coverage Value and Transparency Act of 2011 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to prescribe certain health care coverage value and transparency requirements for dental benefits under group health plans.

transparency_act amends employee retirement income security act erisa prescribe certain health care coverage value transparency requirements dental benefits group health plans


Summary: Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia Diagnosis and Treatment Act of 2011 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish and implement a hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT, a vascular genetic bleeding disorder that causes abnormalities of the blood vessels) initiative to assist in coordinating activities to improve early detection, screening, and treatment of people who suffer from HHT, focusing on advancing research on the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of HHT and increasing physician and public awareness of HHT. Directs the Secretary to establish the HHT Coordinating Committee to develop and coordinate implementation of a plan to advance research and understanding of HHT, including by: (1) conducting or supporting research across relevant National Institutes of Health (NIH) institutes, and (2) conducting evaluations and making recommendations regarding the prioritization and award of NIH research grants relating to HHT. Requires the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to carry out activities with respect to HHT, including conducting population screening and establishing an HHT resource center to provide comprehensive education on, and disseminate information about, HHT to health professionals, patients, industry, and the public. Sets forth requirements for HHT population screening, including requiring the Director of CDC to designate and provide funding for HHT Treatment Centers of Excellence. Requires the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to award grants for: (1) an analysis of the Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MEDPAR) file to develop preliminary estimates on the totals costs to Medicare for items, services, and treatments for HHT; and (2) recommendations regarding an enhanced data collection protocol to permit a more precise determination of such costs.

diagnosis treatment act amends public_health_service_act require secretary health_and_human_services hhs establish implement vascular genetic disorder causes abnormalities blood vessels initiative assist coordinating activities improve early detection screening treatment people suffer focusing advancing research causes diagnosis treatment increasing physician public awareness directs secretary establish develop coordinate implementation plan advance research understanding including conducting supporting research relevant national_institutes_of_health nih institutes conducting evaluations making recommendations prioritization award nih research grants relating requires director centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention cdc carry activities respect including conducting population screening establishing resource center provide comprehensive education disseminate information health professionals patients industry public sets forth requirements population screening including requiring director cdc designate provide funding requires administrator centers cms award grants analysis medicare provider analysis review file develop preliminary estimates totals costs medicare items services treatments recommendations enhanced data collection protocol permit precise determination costs


Summary: Travel Trailer Residents' Health Registry Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS Secretary) to: (1) establish and maintain a health registry for individuals exposed to formaldehyde in temporary housing units provided by the government when displaced by a major disaster that occurred between August 29, 2005, and December 31, 2009; (2) include in the registry information the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS Secretary) determines is necessary to ascertain and monitor the health effects of such exposure; (3) develop a public information campaign to inform eligible individuals about the registry; and (4) periodically notify such individuals of significant developments in the study and treatment of conditions associated with exposure.Directs the DHS Secretary to contract with the HHS Secretary to provide health examinations, consultations, and mental health counseling free of charge to each eligible individual.Requires the HHS Secretary to contract with an independent scientific organization to report to Congress on: (1) the effectiveness of actions taken to collect and maintain information on the health consequences of such exposure, (2) recommendations to improve such collection and maintenance, and (3) the most effective and prudent means of addressing medical needs of eligible individuals.Requires: (1) such health consultation and mental health counseling to provide to each eligible individual information on examination results and on developments, and (2) the Secretary to commence an epidemiological study of the immediate and long-term effects of such exposure sufficient to further understand the medical needs of eligible individuals.

travel trailer residents health registry act directs secretary homeland_security dhs secretary establish maintain health registry individuals exposed formaldehyde temporary housing units provided government displaced major disaster occurred august december include registry information secretary health_and_human_services hhs secretary determines necessary ascertain monitor health effects exposure develop public information campaign inform eligible individuals registry periodically notify individuals significant developments study treatment conditions associated exposure directs dhs secretary contract hhs secretary provide health examinations consultations mental health counseling free charge eligible individual requires hhs secretary contract independent scientific organization report congress effectiveness actions taken collect maintain information health consequences exposure recommendations improve collection maintenance effective prudent means addressing medical needs eligible individuals requires health consultation mental health counseling provide eligible individual information examination results developments secretary commence epidemiological study immediate long term effects exposure sufficient understand medical needs eligible individuals


Summary: Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act of 2011 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend coverage to custom fabricated breast prostheses after a mastectomy.

breast cancer patient equity act amends title xviii medicare social security act extend coverage custom fabricated breast prostheses mastectomy


Summary: Physician Pathology Services Continuity Act of 2011 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), with regard to a laboratory-furnished technical component of certain physician pathology services, to treat such component as a service for which payment shall be made to the laboratory, and not as an inpatient hospital or hospital outpatient service for which payment is made to the hospital.

physician_pathology_services continuity act amends title xviii medicare social security act require secretary health_and_human_services hhs regard laboratory furnished technical component certain physician pathology services treat component service payment shall laboratory inpatient hospital hospital outpatient service payment hospital


Summary: Medical Neutrality Protection Act of 2011 - Requires the Secretary of State to compile and update at least annually a list of those foreign governments that the Secretary determines have engaged in violations of medical neutrality and to provide a formal notification to a foreign government included in such list. Defines a “violation of medical neutrality” to mean: (1) militarized attacks on health care facilities, health care service providers, or individuals in the course of receiving medical treatment; (2) wanton destruction of medical supplies, facilities, records, or transportation services; (3) willful obstruction of medical ethics; (4) coercion of medical personnel to commit acts in violation of their ethical responsibilities; (5) deliberate misuse of health care facilities, transportation services, uniforms, or other insignia; (6) deliberate blocking of access to health care facilities and health care professionals; or (7) arbitrary arrest or detention of health care service providers or individuals seeking medical care. Prohibits specified presidential authorities, including the authority to transfer excess defense articles, furnish military training and education, or finance the procurement of defense articles, from being used to provide assistance to, and prohibits licenses for direct commercial sales of military equipment from being issued to, the government of a country that has engaged in a violation of medical neutrality. Makes such prohibition on assistance effective for a minimum of one fiscal year, after which the President may reinstate such assistance. Authorizes the President to temporarily waive the prohibitions in the interest of national security. Requires the Secretary to deny the issuance of a visa to any alien that is or was engaged in or has organized any act that is a violation of medical neutrality. Directs the heads of U.S. diplomatic and consular missions to investigate all reports of violations of medical neutrality.

medical neutrality protection act requires secretary state compile update annually list foreign governments secretary determines engaged violations medical neutrality provide formal notification foreign government included list defines violation medical neutrality mean attacks health care facilities health care service providers individuals course receiving medical treatment wanton destruction medical supplies facilities records transportation services willful obstruction medical ethics coercion medical personnel commit acts violation ethical responsibilities deliberate misuse health care facilities transportation services uniforms insignia deliberate blocking access health care facilities health care professionals arbitrary arrest detention health care service providers individuals seeking medical care prohibits specified presidential authorities including authority transfer excess defense articles furnish military training education finance procurement defense articles provide assistance prohibits licenses direct commercial sales military equipment issued government country engaged violation medical neutrality makes prohibition assistance effective minimum fiscal year president reinstate assistance authorizes president temporarily waive prohibitions interest national security requires secretary deny issuance visa alien engaged organized act violation medical neutrality directs heads diplomatic consular missions investigate reports violations medical neutrality


Summary: Requires that members of the uniformed services eligible for medical care in uniformed services facilities also be entitled to refractive eye surgery (corrective eye surgery including laser and photorefractive surgery), as medically appropriate. Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to ensure that a member of a uniformed service entitled to such surgery who is not located near a military medical treatment facility that provides reasonable access to refractive eye surgery may receive such surgery at a private facility located near the member.

requires members uniformed services eligible medical care uniformed services facilities entitled eye surgery corrective eye surgery including laser surgery medically appropriate directs secretary defense dod ensure member uniformed service entitled surgery located near military medical treatment facility provides reasonable access eye surgery receive surgery private facility located near member


Summary: Cancer Drug Coverage Parity Act of 2011 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code to require a group or individual health plan providing benefits for intravenously administered or injected anticancer medications to provide no less favorable coverage for prescribed, orally administered anticancer medication that is used to kill or slow the growth of cancerous cells and that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Applies such requirement to medication that is prescribed based on a finding by the treating physician that the medication is: (1) medically necessary for the purpose of killing or slowing the growth of cancerous cells in accordance with nationally accepted standards of medical practice; (2) clinically appropriate in terms of type, frequency, extent site, and duration; and (3) not primarily for the convenience of the patient, physician, or other health care provider. Permits such coverage to be subject to the same cost-sharing applicable to intravenously administered or injected anticancer medications under the plan. Prohibits a health plan from imposing an increase in out-of-pocket costs, or reclassifying benefits, with respect to anticancer medications. Requires a plan to provide notice to each participant and beneficiary regarding the coverage required under this Act. Prohibits a health plan from taking specified actions to avoid the requirements of this Act. Requires the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission to assess how closing the Medicare part D donut hole affects Medicare coverage for orally administered anticancer medications, with a particular focus on cost and accessibility.

amends employee retirement income security act erisa public_health_service_act internal revenue code require group individual health plan providing benefits intravenously administered injected anticancer medications provide favorable coverage prescribed orally administered anticancer medication kill slow growth cells approved food_and_drug_administration fda applies requirement medication prescribed based finding treating physician medication medically necessary purpose killing growth cells accordance nationally accepted standards medical practice clinically appropriate terms type frequency extent site duration primarily convenience patient physician health care provider permits coverage subject cost sharing applicable intravenously administered injected anticancer medications plan prohibits health plan imposing increase pocket costs reclassifying benefits respect anticancer medications requires plan provide notice participant beneficiary coverage required act prohibits health plan taking specified actions avoid requirements act requires medicare_payment_advisory_commission assess closing medicare donut hole affects medicare coverage orally administered anticancer medications particular focus cost accessibility


Summary: Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make grants to public and nonprofit private health care providers to expand training and support services for families and caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease.

alzheimer caregiver support act amends public_health_service_act authorize secretary health_and_human_services hhs grants public nonprofit private health care providers expand training support services families caregivers patients alzheimer disease


Summary: Minority Diabetes Initiative Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make grants to public and nonprofit private health care providers to provide treatment for diabetes in minority communities. Requires the Secretary to ensure that such grants cover a variety of diabetes-related health care services, including routine care for diabetic patients, public education on diabetes prevention and control, eye care, foot care, and treatment for kidney disease and other complications of diabetes.

minority diabetes initiative act amends public_health_service_act allow secretary health_and_human_services hhs grants public nonprofit private health care providers provide treatment diabetes minority communities requires secretary ensure grants cover variety diabetes related health care services including routine care diabetic patients public education diabetes prevention control eye care foot care treatment kidney disease complications diabetes


Summary: Medicare Oral Health Rehabilitative Enhancement Act of 2011 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to permit physical therapy to be furnished under the Medicare program to individuals under the care of a dentist.

amends title xviii medicare social security act permit physical therapy furnished medicare program individuals care dentist


Summary: Field EMS Quality, Innovation, and Cost Effectiveness Improvements Act of 2011 - Designates the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as the primary federal agency for emergency medical services and trauma care. Establishes the Office of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma within HHS. Gives the Office responsibilities related to emergency medical services (EMS) and authorizes the Secretary of HHS to delegate additional responsibilities related to EMS. Requires the Director of the Office to: (1) implement a national EMS strategy; (2) establish the EQUIP grant program to promote excellence, quality, universal access, innovation, and preparedness in field EMS; and (3) the SPIA grant program to improve EMS system performance, integration, and accountability, to ensure preparedness, to enhance oversight and data collection, and to promote standardization of certifications. Requires the Secretary to improve medical oversight of field EMS, including by: (1) promoting the development and adoption of national guidelines for medical oversight, and (2) convening a Field EMS Medical Oversight Advisory Committee. Directs the Comptroller General to study issues related to emergency medical care in the field of EMS. Authorizes the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to maintain, improve, and expand the National EMS Information System. Sets forth reporting requirements relating to data collection and electronic health records. Declares that the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) shall not be construed to prohibit certain exchanges of information between field EMS practitioners, hospital personnel, state EMS offices, and the National EMS Database. Requires the Secretary to establish guidelines for the exchange of information between field EMS practitioners and hospital personnel. Authorizes the Director of the Office to make grants for the development, availability, and dissemination of field EMS education programs and courses that improve the quality and capability of field EMS personnel. Requires the Director to conduct or support demonstrations projects relating to alternative dispositions of field EMS patients. Amends title XI (General Provisions, Peer Review, and Administrative Simplification) of the Social Security Act to include field EMS as a model for testing by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation. Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary to conduct research and evaluation relating to field EMS through the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation. Requires the Director of AHRQ to establish a Field EMS Evidence-Based Practice Center. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) establish the Emergency Medical Services Trust Fund, and (2) allow taxpayers to designate a portion of any income tax overpayment and make additional contributions to finance such Fund.

field ems quality innovation cost effectiveness improvements act designates department_of_health_and_human_services hhs primary federal agency emergency medical services trauma care trauma hhs gives office responsibilities related emergency medical services ems authorizes secretary hhs delegate additional responsibilities related ems requires director office implement national ems strategy establish equip grant program promote excellence quality universal access innovation preparedness field ems grant program improve ems system performance integration accountability ensure preparedness enhance oversight data collection promote standardization certifications requires secretary improve medical oversight field ems including promoting development adoption national guidelines medical oversight convening field ems medical oversight advisory committee directs comptroller general study issues related emergency medical care field ems authorizes administrator national_highway_traffic_safety_administration nhtsa maintain improve expand sets forth reporting requirements relating data collection electronic health records declares health_insurance_portability_and_accountability_act hipaa shall construed prohibit certain exchanges information field ems practitioners hospital personnel state ems offices requires secretary establish guidelines exchange information field ems practitioners hospital personnel authorizes director office grants development availability dissemination field ems education programs courses improve quality capability field ems personnel requires director conduct support demonstrations projects relating alternative dispositions field ems patients amends title general_provisions peer_review social security act include field ems model testing center medicare medicaid_innovation amends public_health_service_act require secretary conduct research evaluation relating field ems agency healthcare_research_and_quality ahrq center medicare medicaid_innovation requires director ahrq establish amends internal revenue code establish allow taxpayers designate portion income tax overpayment additional contributions finance fund


Summary: Amends the Public Health Service Act to exclude remuneration paid for licensed independent insurance producers from administrative cost calculations for purposes of calculating the medical-loss ratio of a health insurance plan. Defines "independent insurance producer" to mean an insurance agent or broker, insurance consultant, benefit specialist, limited insurance representative, and any other person required to be licensed under the laws of the particular state to sell, solicit, negotiate, service, effect, procure, renew, or bind policies of insurance coverage or offer advice, counsel, opinions, or services related to insurance.

amends public_health_service_act exclude remuneration paid licensed independent insurance producers administrative cost calculations purposes calculating medical loss ratio health insurance plan defines independent insurance producer mean insurance agent broker insurance consultant benefit specialist limited insurance representative person required licensed laws particular state sell solicit negotiate service effect procure renew bind policies insurance coverage offer advice counsel opinions services related insurance


Summary: Equity and Access for Podiatric Physicians Under Medicaid Act - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to include podiatrists as physicians in order to cover their services under the Medicaid program.

equity access podiatric physicians title xix medicaid social security act include podiatrists physicians order cover services medicaid program


Summary: Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to exempt from the limitation on certain physician referrals any request by a physician, after a patient is admitted to a hospital, for a consultation by a radiation oncologist that results in an order for radiation therapy.

amends title xviii medicare social security act exempt limitation certain physician referrals request physician patient admitted hospital consultation radiation results order radiation therapy


Summary: Medicare Physician Payment Innovation Act of 2012 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to revise requirements for payments for physician's services to eliminate the sustainable growth rate system from the formula for determination of the fee schedules for such services. Sets at 0.0 the 2013 update to the single conversion factor in such formula. Includes the program of Osteopathic Continuous Certification of the American Osteopathic Association as a Maintenance of Certification Program with respect to any plan of the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to integrate reporting on quality measures with reporting requirements relating to the meaningful use of electronic health records (EHR). Establishes updates for separate primary care and other service categories beginning January 1, 2014, as well as separate conversion factors and separate updates through 2017 for each service category. Directs the Secretary, through the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, to: (1) expand testing of each payment and service delivery model in at least three geographic regions; and (2) include analysis of average implementation costs, per physician, in evaluations of models in phase 1 testing. Directs the Comptroller General to study the evaluations of each model tested. Directs the Secretary to release to the public a comprehensive list of such health care delivery models identified as likely to: (1) reduce spending without reducing quality of care, or (2) improve the quality of patient care without increasing spending. Requires the Secretary to inform physicians, nurse practitioners, group practices, and institutions employing Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) providers on how best to transition to alternative health care delivery and payment models aimed at improving the coordination, quality, and efficiency of health care. Freezes the physician fee schedule for 2018 by requiring 0.0 updates to the relevant conversion factors. Directs the Secretary to: (1) contract and agree with regional extension centers to provide guidance and assistance on how physicians may transition to implementation of alternative health care delivery models identified as representating best practices; and (2) make certain funding available to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Care Technology to award grants and incentive payments under a competitive process to regional extension centers and other qualified entities for such activities. Requires the Office to: (1) establish a process for the competitive selection of regional extension centers (and other qualified entities) in the third quarter of 2014; and (2) authorize the initial distribution of funds to such centers and entities. Prescribes updates to conversion factors for 2019-2022, but freezes them again beginning in 2023. Requires the Secretary to consider certain factors in determining the growth rates to be recognized beginning with 2019 for alternative payment and delivery models. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on the impact on spending and on access to services under Medicare resulting from changes to the Medicare delivery and payments systems, including those made by this Act. Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Graham-Rudman-Hollings Act), with respect to adjustments to discretionary spending limits in sequestration reports, to prescribe FY2013-FY2021 levels for overseas contingency and related activities for appropriations Acts. Requires any amount of budget authority for overseas contingency operations and related activities for such fiscal years in excess of such levels to be counted, in determining whether a breach has occurred in the security category and the nonsecurity category, on a proportional basis to the total spending for overseas contingency operations in those respective categories.

amends title xviii medicare social security act ssa revise requirements payments physician services eliminate sustainable growth rate system formula determination fee schedules services sets update single conversion factor formula includes program respect plan secretary health_and_human_services hhs integrate reporting quality measures reporting requirements relating meaningful use electronic health records ehr establishes updates separate primary care service categories beginning january separate conversion factors separate updates service category directs secretary center medicare medicaid_innovation expand testing payment service delivery model geographic regions include analysis average implementation costs physician evaluations models phase testing directs comptroller general study evaluations model tested directs secretary release public comprehensive list health care delivery models identified likely reduce spending reducing quality care improve quality patient care increasing spending requires secretary inform physicians nurse practitioners group practices institutions employing medicare supplementary_medical_insurance providers best transition alternative health care delivery payment models aimed improving coordination quality efficiency health care freezes physician fee schedule requiring updates relevant conversion factors directs secretary contract agree regional extension centers provide guidance assistance physicians transition implementation alternative health care delivery models identified best practices certain funding available award grants incentive payments competitive process regional extension centers qualified entities activities requires office establish process competitive selection regional extension centers qualified entities quarter authorize initial distribution funds centers entities prescribes updates conversion factors freezes beginning requires secretary consider certain factors determining growth rates recognized beginning alternative payment delivery models directs secretary report congress impact spending access services medicare resulting changes medicare delivery payments systems including act amends balanced_budget emergency deficit control act respect adjustments discretionary spending limits sequestration reports prescribe fy2013 fy2021 levels overseas contingency related activities appropriations acts requires budget authority overseas contingency operations related activities fiscal years excess levels counted determining breach occurred security category nonsecurity category proportional basis total spending overseas contingency operations respective categories


Summary: Kidney Disease Equitable Access, Prevention, and Research Act of 2012 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), in specified circumstances, to accept the results of a state licensure survey for purposes of determining federal certification of the compliance of a renal dialysis facility (RDF) with the conditions of Medicare participation. Allows the Secretary to assess and collect reasonable fees for the initial Medicare survey from an RDF. Revises Medicare requirements for group health plans to extend from 12 to 42 months after an individual becomes eligible for Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance Benefits for the Aged and Disabled) benefits the period during which a group health plan is a primary payer (and Medicare the secondary payer) for end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. Applies Medicare secondary payer requirements to qualified health plans under the Public Health Service Act. Prescribes the treatment of certain individuals with ESRD for purposes of determining minimum essential coverage. Requires such a plan to: (1) provide adequate, advanced written notice to patients regarding changes to benefits for dialysis services, new restrictions on out-of-network access, or reductions in rates paid for out-of-network benefits; (2) allow patients to continue using their existing provider or facility for dialysis services for at least 24 months after a plan or issuer notice of any change; (3) hold patients harmless from a provider network change if the change requires unreasonable drive time or disrupts the physician-patient relationship; (4) ensure that out-of-pocket payments for such services are counted towards meeting any out-of-pocket maximum applied under a MedicareAdvantage (MA) plan and are not treated as routine for purposes of calculating beneficiary copayments; and (5) meet minimum network adequacy standards. Prohibits such a plan from: (1) restricting the duration or number of dialysis sessions for patients to less than the number for which payment may be made; (2) requiring assignment of benefits for such services; or (3) denying or limiting coverage for patients for such services if premiums, copayments, or other payments are made by third parties on their behalf. Directs the Secretary to study: (1) the social, behavioral, and biological factors leading to kidney disease; and (2) efforts to slow the progression of kidney disease in minority populations that are disproportionately affected by it. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on the research gaps with respect to the development of quality metrics and care management metrics for ESRD patients. Directs the Comptroller General to evaluate the transportation barriers facing dialysis patients that result in less than 100% compliance with their plan of care under the Medicare program. Includes as a person qualified to furnish kidney disease education services an RDF with a physician or a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist. Declares that the mandatory single payment to an RDF or other provider of renal dialysis services shall not take into account the amount of payment for kidney disease education services. Revises the definition of “kidney disease education services” to specify education services furnished to individuals: (1) with stage V (as well as those with stage IV) chronic kidney disease, and (2) who are not receiving dialysis services.

research_act amends title xviii medicare social security act direct secretary health_and_human_services hhs specified circumstances accept results state licensure survey purposes determining federal certification compliance renal dialysis facility conditions medicare participation allows secretary assess collect reasonable fees initial medicare survey revises medicare requirements group health plans extend months individual eligible medicare hospital insurance benefits aged disabled benefits period group health plan primary payer medicare secondary payer end stage renal disease esrd patients applies medicare secondary payer requirements qualified health plans public_health_service_act prescribes treatment certain individuals esrd purposes determining minimum essential coverage requires plan provide adequate advanced written notice patients changes benefits dialysis services new restrictions network access reductions rates paid network benefits allow patients continue existing provider facility dialysis services months plan issuer notice change hold patients harmless provider network change change requires unreasonable drive time disrupts physician patient relationship ensure pocket payments services counted meeting pocket maximum applied medicareadvantage plan treated routine purposes calculating beneficiary copayments meet minimum network adequacy standards prohibits plan restricting duration number dialysis sessions patients number payment requiring assignment benefits services denying limiting coverage patients services premiums copayments payments parties behalf directs secretary study social behavioral biological factors leading kidney disease efforts slow progression kidney disease minority populations disproportionately affected directs secretary report congress research gaps respect development quality metrics care management metrics esrd patients directs comptroller general evaluate transportation barriers facing dialysis patients result compliance plan care medicare program includes person qualified furnish kidney disease education services physician physician assistant nurse practitioner clinical nurse specialist declares mandatory single payment provider renal dialysis services shall account payment kidney disease education services revises definition kidney disease education services specify education services furnished individuals stage stage chronic kidney disease receiving dialysis services


Summary: Assuring Medicare Stability and Access for Seniors Act of 2012 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend for one year the Medicare physician payment rates without change.

assuring medicare stability access seniors act amends title xviii medicare social security act extend year medicare physician payment rates change


Summary: Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require a state Medicaid plan to provide for state reimbursement of an eligible entity for any patient navigator service provided to a Medicaid-eligible individual. Includes within the definition of "medical assistance" certain patient navigator services defined under the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) as assisting in specified ways individuals who are at risk for or who have cancer or other chronic diseases. Treats as eligible entities those identified under PHSA as public or nonprofit private health centers (including federally qualified health centers), health facilities operated by or pursuant to a contract with the Indian Health Service, hospitals, cancer centers, rural health clinics, academic health centers, or nonprofit entities that enter into a partnership or coordinate referrals with such a center, clinic, facility, or hospital to provide patient navigator services.

amends title xix medicaid social security act require state medicaid plan provide state reimbursement eligible entity patient navigator service provided medicaid eligible individual includes definition medical assistance certain patient navigator services defined public_health_service_act phsa assisting specified ways individuals risk cancer chronic diseases treats eligible entities identified phsa public nonprofit private health centers including federally qualified health centers health facilities operated pursuant contract indian_health_service hospitals cancer centers rural health clinics academic health centers nonprofit entities enter partnership coordinate referrals center clinic facility hospital provide patient navigator services


Summary: Medicare Audit Improvement Act of 2012 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a process under which the number of additional documentation requests made by a Medicare contractor pursuant to a complex prepayment or postpayment audit with respect to a hospital's Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) claims in a year may not exceed, across all such contractors with respect to the hospital's claims, the lesser of: (1) 2% of all such claims for such year, or (2) 500 additional documentation requests during any 45-day period. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to the Medicare Integrity Program and use of recovery audit contractors. Requires the Secretary to ensure that recovery audit contracts include certain mandatory terms and conditions pertaining to: (1) penalties for certain compliance failures, (2) penalties for overturned appeals, (3) postpayment and prepayment audits, and (4) guidelines for prepayment review. Directs the Secretary to publish on the Internet website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services information on recovery audit contractor performance regarding: (1) audit rates, denials, and appeals outcomes; and (2) independent performance evaluations. Prohibits the Secretary, in conducting the Medicare Part A and Part B Rebilling Demonstration, from prohibiting any appeal by a hospital of any finding by a recovery audit contractor that an inpatient admission was not reasonably and medically necessary. Deems to be an original claim for Medicare part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) payment a resubmitted hospital claim for Medicare part A payment for inpatient hospital services which a recovery audit contractor determines: (1) were not medically necessary and reasonable based on the site of service, but (2) would be medically necessary and reasonable in an outpatient setting of the hospital. Requires payment to be made for such a resubmitted claim for all furnished items and services for which payment may be made under Medicare part B. Deems to be a reopened claim, for purposes of a hospital's ability to resubmit a claim for Medicare payment in timely fashion, any claim that is the subject of an audit by a recovery audit contractor or a Medicare administrative contractor. Requires contracts for a recovery audit contractor to require that a physician review each denial of a claim for medical necessity made by an employee of the contractor who is not a physician.

medicare audit improvement act directs secretary health_and_human_services hhs establish process number additional documentation requests medicare contractor pursuant complex prepayment audit respect hospital medicare claims year exceed contractors respect hospital claims lesser claims year additional documentation requests day period amends title xviii medicare social security act respect medicare_integrity_program use recovery audit contractors requires secretary ensure recovery audit contracts include certain mandatory terms conditions pertaining penalties certain compliance failures penalties overturned appeals prepayment audits guidelines prepayment review directs secretary publish internet website centers information recovery audit contractor performance audit rates denials appeals outcomes independent performance evaluations prohibits secretary conducting medicare demonstration prohibiting appeal hospital finding recovery audit contractor inpatient admission reasonably medically necessary deems original claim medicare supplementary_medical_insurance payment resubmitted hospital claim medicare payment inpatient hospital services recovery audit contractor determines medically necessary reasonable based site service medically necessary reasonable outpatient setting hospital requires payment resubmitted claim furnished items services payment medicare reopened claim purposes hospital ability resubmit claim medicare payment timely fashion claim subject audit recovery audit contractor medicare administrative contractor requires contracts recovery audit contractor require physician review denial claim medical necessity employee contractor physician


Summary: Veterans Dental and Vision Benefits Act of 2012 - Provides that, if the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines that a veteran who is enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system and obtaining supplemental dental or vision coverage under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) is unable to pay the FEHBP premiums for such coverage because of financial hardship, such veteran shall not be responsible for such premiums. Directs the Secretary to: (1) provide outreach to inform eligible veterans of the availability of such coverage, and (2) report every three years over a nine-year period to Congress on the implementation of providing such coverage to such veterans.

vision benefits act provides secretary veterans_affairs determines veteran enrolled department_of_veterans_affairs health care system obtaining supplemental dental vision coverage federal_employees_health_benefits_program fehbp unable pay fehbp premiums coverage financial hardship veteran shall responsible premiums directs secretary provide outreach inform eligible veterans availability coverage report years year period congress implementation providing coverage veterans


Summary: Equity for Clinical Social Workers Act of 2011 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide for reimbursement of covered clinical social worker services according to a new reimbursement methodology similar to the one currently used for other health care professionals. Provides coverage and reimbursement under the new methodology for supplies furnished incident to such services. Excludes the services of clinical social workers from the definition of "inpatient hospital services" for purposes of Medicare.

equity clinical social workers act amends title xviii medicare social security act provide reimbursement covered clinical social worker services according new reimbursement methodology similar currently health care professionals provides coverage reimbursement new methodology supplies furnished incident services excludes services clinical social workers definition inpatient hospital services purposes medicare


Summary: Medicare Ambulance Access Preservation Act of 2011 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to increase to 6% the rate of increase in the fee schedule for ground ambulance services furnished between January 1, 2012, and January 1, 2018, in rural and urban areas. Extends to January 1, 2018, the increase in the base rate of the fee schedule the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) is required to make for a trip in the case of ground ambulance services furnished on or after July 1, 2004, for which the transportation originates in a qualified low population density rural area.

medicare ambulance access preservation act amends title xviii medicare social security act increase rate increase fee schedule ground ambulance services furnished january january rural urban areas extends january increase base rate fee schedule secretary health_and_human_services hhs required trip case ground ambulance services furnished july transportation originates qualified low population density rural area


Summary: Amends title XVIII (Medicare) to make neurologists eligible as primary care physicians for Medicare primary care incentive payments.

amends title xviii medicare eligible primary care physicians medicare primary care incentive payments


Summary: Medicare Safe Needle Disposal Coverage Act of 2011 - Amends part D (Voluntary Prescription Drug Benefit Program) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover as a part D drug any devices approved for home use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the safe and effective containment, removal, decontamination, and disposal of home-generated needles, syringes, and other sharps through a sharps container, decontamination/destructive device, or sharps-by-mail program or similar program.

medicare_safe_needle_disposal_coverage_act amends voluntary prescription drug benefit program title xviii medicare social security act cover drug devices approved home use food_and_drug_administration fda safe effective containment removal decontamination disposal home generated needles syringes sharps sharps container decontamination destructive device sharps mail program similar program


Summary: Health Outcomes, Planning, and Education for Alzheimer's Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to cover comprehensive Alzheimer's disease and related dementia diagnosis and services.

education alzheimer act amends title xviii medicare social security act cover comprehensive alzheimer disease related dementia diagnosis services


Summary: Veterans Programs Improvement Act of 2011 - Title I: Health Care Matters - (Sec. 101) Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to waive the imposition or collection of copayments for telehealth and telemedicine visits of veterans. (Sec. 102) Directs the Secretary to carry out a program of teleconsultation for the provision of remote mental health and traumatic brain injury (TBI) assessments in facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that are not otherwise able to provide such assessments without contracting with third party providers or reimbursing providers through a fee basis system. Requires the Secretary to: (1) offer medical residents training opportunities in telemedicine; and (2) modify the Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation (VERA) system to include teleconsultation, teleretinal imaging, telemedicine, and telehealth coordination services. Defines "teleconsultation," "telehealth," "telemedicine," and "teleretinal imaging." (Sec. 103) Treats Vet Centers as VA facilities for purposes of authorized payments or allowances for beneficiary travel to or from a VA facility in connection with medical care. Requires a report from the Secretary to Congress on the feasibility and advisability of paying the actual expenses of travel or allowances for such travel. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 104) Requires the Secretary to admit into any VA building or property service animals accompanying individuals with disabilities. (Sec. 105) Includes within a program of individualized rehabilitation and reintegration plans for veterans with TBI: (1) the goal of maximizing the individual's independence, and (2) improving such veterans' behavioral functioning. Requires the inclusion of rehabilitative services in: (1) a VA comprehensive program of long-term care for veterans with TBI, and (2) cooperative agreements for the use of non-VA facilities for veterans' rehabilitation from TBI. (Sec. 106) Directs the Secretary to establish and operate centers of excellence for rural health research, education, and clinical activities, including: (1) research on furnishing health services in rural areas, (2) development of specific models to be used in furnishing health services to veterans in such areas, (3) education and training for VA health care professionals, and (4) development and implementation of clinical activities and systems. Designates as such a center the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Fargo, North Dakota. (Sec. 107) Directs the Secretary to develop and implement a comprehensive policy on the provision of chiropractic services provided at VA expense to veterans enrolled in the VA health care system. Requires periodic policy updates. Requires such services to be provided at not less than two locations in each Veterans Integrated Services Network, and at other appropriate locations based on demand. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the congressional veterans committees on policy implementation. (Sec. 108) Authorizes the VA to pay the lesser of the actual charge by an ambulance provider or the amount authorized for such services under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, unless there is an existing contract with the provider. (Sec. 109) Directs the Secretary to enter into a contract or agreement with each state home to pay for nursing home care provided to certain veterans with service-connected disabilities. Requires such payment to be based on a methodology, developed by the Secretary in consultation with the home, to adequately reimburse the home for the care provided under such contract or agreement. (Current law requires payment at the lesser of the prevailing rate in the geographic area for non-VA nursing homes or the daily cost of care, both of which are determined by the Secretary.) Makes this section effective for care provided on or after January 1, 2012. (Sec. 110) Authorizes the Secretary to disclose information about a veteran or his or her dependent to a state controlled substance monitoring program to the extent necessary to prevent misuse and diversion of prescription medicines. (Sec. 111) Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop and implement a plan to ensure the recovery and collection of third-party insurer amounts for deposit into the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Care Collections Fund, and (2) monitor such recovery and collection. Title II: Homeless Veterans Matters - (Sec. 201) Allows grants made by the Secretary for homeless veterans' comprehensive services programs (outreach, rehabilitation, vocational counseling, and transitional housing assistance) to be used for the construction of new facilities. Prohibits the Secretary from denying applications for such grants solely on the basis that the grant entity proposes to use funding from other private or public sources, as long as such entity demonstrates that a private nonprofit organization will provide project oversight and site control. Requires the Secretary to: (1) study matters relating to the method used to make per diem payments to grant recipients, (2) develop more effective and efficient procedures for fiscal control and fund accounting by grant recipients, and (3) develop a more efficient and effective method for adequately reimbursing grant recipients for services furnished to homeless veterans. Requires a report to Congress on such study and methods. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 202) Revises eligibility: (1) under the grant program for entities serving homeless veterans with special needs, and (2) for treatment and rehabilitation of homeless veterans who are not seriously mentally ill. (Sec. 204) Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress a comprehensive plan to end homelessness among veterans. Requires plan analysis to include consideration of the unique circumstances and requirements of veterans in rural areas. (Sec. 205) Extends through: (1) 2012 the VA's health care for homeless veterans and domiciliary care for homeless veterans programs, (2) 2014 the VA program of centers providing benefits and services to homeless veterans, (3) 2014 VA authority to enter into agreements with nonprofit or government organizations to assist homeless veterans and their families in acquiring shelter, and (4) 2013 the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans. (Sec. 206) Reauthorizes through: (1) FY2012 the homeless veterans reintegration program, (2) FY2012 the program of supportive services for very low-income veteran families residing in permanent housing, and (3) FY2013 the grant program for homeless veterans with special needs. (Sec. 209) Authorizes the Secretary to consider entering into agreements with state or local government agencies, tribal organizations, and nonprofit organizations to collaborate in the provision of case management services under the VA supported housing program to ensure that homeless veterans facing the most significant difficulties in obtaining suitable housing receive the assistance they require. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical assistance to collaborating entities. Provides funding. Requires the Secretary to report annually to Congress on such collaborative services. Title III: Housing Matters - Andrew Connolly Veterans' Housing Act - (Sec. 302) Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to extend from 9 to 12 months after a servicemember's period of military service both the stay of proceedings to enforce an obligation on real or personal property owned by the servicemember prior to such military service, as well as the protection against sale, foreclosure, or seizure of such property. Requires a report from the Comptroller General to Congress on such protections provided during the five-year period ending on the date of enactment of this Act. (Sec. 303) Considers a veteran who is unable to occupy a home because of active-duty status to have satisfied the occupancy requirement relating to housing financed through the VA if the veteran's dependent child is occupying or will occupy the home and the veteran's attorney or a legal guardian of the dependent child makes the VA-required occupancy certification. (Sec. 304) Waives the veterans' housing loan fee for veterans eligible to receive veterans' disability compensation as the result of a pre-discharge review of existing medical evidence. (Under current law, such fee is waived only for veterans rated eligible to receive compensation as the result of a pre-discharge VA examination and subsequent disability rating.) (Sec. 305) Increases the authorized amount of VA assistance for permanent and total service-disabled veterans who are temporarily residing in housing owned by a family member from: (1) $14,000 to $28,000, in the case of the acquisition of housing with special features; and (2) $2,000 to $5,000, in the case of adaptations to a current residence. Directs the Secretary to adjust such amounts annually based on the residential home cost-of-construction index. Extends such authority through 2021. (Sec. 306) Expands eligibility for VA specially adapted housing assistance to include veterans with visual acuity of 20/200 (under current law, 5/200) or less. (Sec. 307) Excludes VA temporary residence adaptation grants from aggregate limitations on assistance available for adapting and acquiring such housing for individuals residing temporarily in housing owned by a family member. Title IV: Compensation and Pension Matters - (Sec. 401) Increases to $31,305 the combined annual rate of pension for two married veterans meeting specified disability and service or age and service requirements when both such veterans need regular aid and attendance. (Sec. 402) Authorizes the Secretary to provide an effective date of an award of disability compensation, in the case of a veteran who submits a fully-developed claim, of up to one year before the date of receipt of such claim. Makes such date effective with respect to claims filed after FY2012. (Sec. 403) Entitles a surviving spouse to a benefit for the month of a veteran's death if, at the time of the veteran's death: (1) the veteran was receiving veterans' disability compensation or veteran's pension, or (2) the veteran was not receiving such compensation or pension but had a claim pending for the month of the veteran's death for which benefits would have been payable had the veteran not died. Requires that, if a claim for entitlement to such benefits is pending at the time of a veteran's death and the pending claim was subsequently granted, any additional amount of benefits for the month of death would be paid as accrued VA benefits. (Sec. 404) Requires initial review by the Board of Veterans' Appeals of a substantive appeal containing new evidence, unless the claimant requests initial review by the agency of original jurisdiction. Title V: Memorial, Burial, and Cemetery Matters - (Sec. 501) Amends the federal criminal code concerning the prohibition on disruptions of funerals of members or former members of the Armed Forces to increase the period covered under such prohibition from one to two hours before and after a military funeral. Includes within such unlawful conduct any disturbance or disruption occurring within 500 feet of the boundary of a funeral location, or on or near the boundary of the residence of a surviving member of a deceased's immediate family. Provides civil remedies, including actual and statutory damages. Makes identical changes under federal veterans' provisions concerning the prohibition on certain demonstrations and disruptions at national cemeteries, including Arlington National Cemetery (Arlington). (Sec. 502) Prohibits: (1) more than one gravesite from being provided at Arlington to a veteran or member of the Armed Forces who is eligible for burial there, except as the Secretary of the Army considers appropriate; and (2) a gravesite from being reserved at Arlington before an individual's death, except in the case of a request approved by such Secretary before January 1, 1962. Requires a report from such Secretary to Congress on reservations made for interment at Arlington. (Sec. 503) Includes under the VA's presidential memorial certificate program (a program presenting a presidential certificate of appreciation for service in the Armed Forces) an individual who dies during active service. Title VI: Construction Matters - (Sec. 601) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out major medical facility projects (projects) in FY2012 in Seattle, Washington, and West Los Angeles, California. (Sec. 602) Modifies specified previously-authorized projects in Arkansas, California, Florida, Missouri, and Puerto Rico. (Sec. 603) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out specified major medical facility leases (leases) in FY2012 in Alabama, California, Georgia, Indiana, Missouri, New York, and Oregon. (Sec. 604) Authorizes appropriations for FY2012 for the projects and leases authorized under this title. Provides funding limitations. (Sec. 605) Prohibits the Secretary from using bid savings on a VA project to expand the purpose of a project except pursuant to a law enacted after the date on which the Secretary submits to the veterans and appropriations committees notification of: (1) the project that is the source of the bid savings, (2) the project for which the expansion is to be used, (3) a description of the expansion purpose, and (4) the amounts which the Secretary intends to obligate for the expansion. (Sec. 606) Designates the VA medical center in Big Spring, Texas, as the "George H. O'Brien, Jr., Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center." (Sec. 607) Designates the VA telehealth clinic in Craig, Colorado, as the "Major William Edward Adams Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic." Title VII: Other Administrative and Benefits Matters - (Sec. 701) Authorizes the Secretary, notwithstanding existing limitations on the assistance available to disabled veterans eligible for specially adapted housing grants, to award grants to veterans whose homes were previously adapted with such assistance if the adapted home used and occupied by the veteran was destroyed or substantially damaged in a natural or other disaster. Requires any such grant to be available to acquire a suitable housing unit with special fixtures or moveable facilities made necessary by the veteran's disability, along with the land for such housing. Permits the Secretary to: (1) extend up to an additional two months the subsistence allowances of veterans displaced by such disasters while satisfactorily following a program of employment services prescribed in a vocational rehabilitation program for certain veterans with service-connected disabilities; (2) waive the annual limitation on the number of veterans eligible to participate in programs of independent living services and assistance when a veteran has been displaced as the result of a disaster; (3) in determining whether certain real estate housing loans are secured by a first lien, disregard or allow for subordination to a superior lien created by a duly recorded covenant running with the realty in favor of a public entity that has provided or will provide assistance in response to a major disaster as determined by the President under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act; and (4) provide or assist in providing a second automobile or other specified conveyance to eligible disabled veterans and members of the Armed Forces if an automobile or other conveyance previously purchased with assistance was destroyed by such a disaster through no fault of the individual and without compensation by a property insurer. Directs the Secretary to report annually to Congress on assistance provided or action taken pursuant to the authorities under this section. (Sec. 702) Exempts survivors' and dependents' educational assistance from the 48-month time limit on the use of assistance under various veterans' and related educational assistance programs. Revives any entitlement reduced by the 48-month limit. Caps at 81 months the aggregate period of benefits for an individual under all such programs. (Sec. 703) Directs that any business determined by the Secretary to have misrepresented its status as a small business owned and controlled by veterans or service-disabled veterans in order to increase its contracting opportunities shall be debarred from contracting with the VA for not less than five years (under current law, for a reasonable period as determined by the Secretary). Requires the Secretary to commence the debarment action within 30 days after the misrepresentation determination, and to complete such action within 90 days after such determination. Includes in the debarment all principals in the business. (Sec. 704) Allows the following individuals to sign veterans' benefits claims filed on behalf of a person who is under 18, mentally incompetent, or physically unable to sign: (1) a court-appointed representative, (2) a caregiver, (3) an attorney-in-fact, or (4) an agent authorized to act on behalf of the individual under a durable power of attorney. (Sec. 705) Authorizes (under current law, requires) the Secretary and the Commissioner of Social Security to prescribe joint applications for social security benefits and dependency and indemnity compensation. (Sec. 706) Makes a VA employee participating in the employee incentive scholarship program liable for the amount paid upon failure to maintain such employment during the program. (Sec. 707) Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress a plan on the VA use of pay-for-performance mechanisms in contracts which compensate VA contractors for the provision of veterans' health care services through community-based outpatient clinics. (Sec. 708) Extends through: (1) FY2013 VA authority to obtain income verification information from the Secretary of the Treasury and the Commissioner of Social Security, and (2) 2012 VA authority to operate a regional office in the Republic of the Philippines. (Sec. 710) Directs the Secretary to report to Congress on the feasibility and advisability of establishing a VA Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center or Polytrauma Network Site in the northern Rockies or the Dakotas. Requires the Fort Harrison Department of Veterans Affairs Hospital in Lewis and Clark County, Montana, to be evaluated as a potential location for such Center or Site. (Sec. 711) Maintains through FY2011 the current VA home loan guaranty fees for active-duty members and reservists. Decreases such fees, during FY2012, to 1.5% of the total guaranty amount for active-duty members, and 1.75% for reservists.

veterans programs improvement act title health care matters sec authorizes secretary veterans_affairs waive imposition collection copayments telehealth telemedicine visits veterans sec directs secretary carry program teleconsultation provision remote mental health traumatic brain injury tbi assessments facilities department_of_veterans_affairs able provide assessments contracting party providers reimbursing providers fee basis system requires secretary offer medical residents training opportunities telemedicine modify vera system include teleconsultation imaging telemedicine telehealth coordination services defines teleconsultation telehealth telemedicine imaging sec facilities purposes authorized payments allowances beneficiary travel facility connection medical care requires report secretary congress feasibility advisability paying actual expenses travel allowances travel authorizes appropriations sec requires secretary admit building property service animals accompanying individuals disabilities sec includes program individualized rehabilitation reintegration plans veterans tbi goal maximizing individual independence improving veterans behavioral functioning requires inclusion rehabilitative services comprehensive program long term care veterans tbi cooperative agreements use non-va facilities veterans rehabilitation tbi sec directs secretary establish operate centers excellence rural health research education clinical activities including research furnishing health services rural areas development specific models furnishing health services veterans areas education training health care professionals development implementation clinical activities systems designates center department_of_veterans_affairs_medical_center north_dakota sec directs secretary develop implement comprehensive policy provision chiropractic services provided expense veterans enrolled health care system requires periodic policy updates requires services provided locations veterans_integrated_services_network appropriate locations based demand directs secretary report annually congressional veterans committees policy implementation sec authorizes pay lesser actual charge ambulance provider authorized services title xviii medicare social security act existing contract provider sec directs secretary enter contract agreement state home pay nursing home care provided certain veterans service connected disabilities requires payment based methodology developed secretary consultation home adequately reimburse home care provided contract agreement current law requires payment lesser prevailing rate geographic area non-va nursing homes daily cost care determined secretary makes section effective care provided january sec authorizes secretary disclose information veteran dependent state controlled substance monitoring program extent necessary prevent misuse diversion prescription medicines sec directs secretary develop implement plan ensure recovery collection party insurer amounts deposit monitor recovery collection title homeless veterans matters sec allows grants secretary homeless veterans comprehensive services programs outreach rehabilitation vocational counseling transitional housing assistance construction new facilities prohibits secretary denying applications grants solely basis grant entity proposes use funding private public sources long entity demonstrates private nonprofit organization provide project oversight site control requires secretary study matters relating method diem payments grant recipients develop effective efficient procedures fiscal control fund accounting grant recipients develop efficient effective method adequately reimbursing grant recipients services furnished homeless veterans requires report congress study methods authorizes appropriations sec revises eligibility grant program entities serving homeless veterans special needs treatment rehabilitation homeless veterans seriously mentally ill sec directs secretary submit congress comprehensive plan end homelessness veterans requires plan analysis include consideration unique circumstances requirements veterans rural areas sec extends health care homeless veterans domiciliary care homeless veterans programs program centers providing benefits services homeless veterans authority enter agreements nonprofit government organizations assist homeless veterans families acquiring shelter sec reauthorizes fy2012 homeless veterans reintegration program fy2012 program supportive services low income veteran families residing permanent housing fy2013 grant program homeless veterans special needs sec authorizes secretary consider entering agreements state local government agencies tribal organizations nonprofit organizations collaborate provision case management services supported housing program ensure homeless veterans facing significant difficulties obtaining suitable housing receive assistance require authorizes secretary provide technical assistance collaborating entities provides funding requires secretary report annually congress collaborative services title iii housing matters veterans housing act sec amends servicemembers civil relief act extend months servicemember period military service stay proceedings enforce obligation real personal property owned servicemember prior military service protection sale foreclosure seizure property requires report comptroller_general congress protections provided year period ending date enactment act sec considers veteran unable occupy home active duty status satisfied occupancy requirement relating housing financed veteran dependent child occupying occupy home veteran attorney legal guardian dependent child makes required occupancy certification sec waives veterans housing loan fee veterans eligible receive veterans disability compensation result pre discharge review existing medical evidence current law fee waived veterans rated eligible receive compensation result pre discharge examination subsequent disability rating sec increases authorized assistance permanent total service disabled veterans temporarily residing housing owned family member case acquisition housing special features case adaptations current residence directs secretary adjust amounts annually based residential home cost construction index extends authority sec expands eligibility specially adapted housing assistance include veterans visual acuity current law sec excludes temporary residence adaptation grants aggregate limitations assistance available adapting acquiring housing individuals residing temporarily housing owned family member title compensation pension matters sec increases combined annual rate pension married veterans meeting specified disability service age service requirements veterans need regular aid attendance sec authorizes secretary provide effective date award disability compensation case veteran submits fully developed claim year date receipt claim makes date effective respect claims filed fy2012 sec entitles surviving spouse benefit month veteran death time veteran death veteran receiving veterans disability compensation veteran pension veteran receiving compensation pension claim pending month veteran death benefits payable veteran died requires claim entitlement benefits pending time veteran death pending claim subsequently granted additional benefits month death paid accrued benefits sec requires initial review substantive appeal containing new evidence claimant requests initial review agency original jurisdiction title memorial burial cemetery matters sec amends federal criminal code concerning prohibition disruptions funerals members members armed_forces increase period covered prohibition hours military funeral includes unlawful conduct disturbance disruption occurring feet boundary funeral location near boundary residence surviving member deceased immediate family provides civil remedies including actual statutory damages makes identical changes federal veterans provisions concerning prohibition certain demonstrations disruptions national cemeteries including arlington national cemetery arlington sec prohibits gravesite provided arlington veteran member armed_forces eligible burial secretary army considers appropriate gravesite reserved arlington individual death case request approved secretary january requires report secretary congress reservations interment arlington sec includes presidential memorial certificate program program presenting presidential certificate appreciation service armed_forces individual dies active service title construction matters sec authorizes secretary carry major medical facility projects projects fy2012 seattle washington california sec modifies specified previously authorized projects arkansas california florida missouri puerto_rico sec authorizes secretary carry specified major medical facility leases leases fy2012 alabama california georgia indiana missouri new_york oregon sec authorizes appropriations fy2012 projects leases authorized title provides funding limitations sec prohibits secretary bid savings project expand purpose project pursuant law enacted date secretary submits veterans appropriations committees notification project source bid savings project expansion description expansion purpose amounts secretary intends obligate expansion sec designates medical center texas department_of_veterans_affairs_medical_center sec designates telehealth clinic colorado major veterans_affairs_clinic title vii administrative benefits matters sec authorizes secretary notwithstanding existing limitations assistance available disabled veterans eligible specially adapted housing grants award grants veterans homes previously adapted assistance adapted home occupied veteran destroyed substantially damaged natural disaster requires grant available acquire suitable housing unit special fixtures moveable facilities necessary veteran disability land housing permits secretary extend additional months subsistence allowances veterans displaced disasters satisfactorily following program employment services prescribed vocational rehabilitation program certain veterans service connected disabilities waive annual limitation number veterans eligible participate programs independent living services assistance veteran displaced result disaster determining certain real estate housing loans secured lien disregard allow subordination superior lien created duly recorded covenant running favor public entity provided provide assistance response major disaster determined president robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance act provide assist providing second automobile specified conveyance eligible disabled veterans members armed_forces automobile conveyance previously purchased assistance destroyed disaster fault individual compensation property insurer directs secretary report annually congress assistance provided action taken pursuant authorities section sec exempts survivors dependents educational assistance month time limit use assistance veterans related educational assistance programs revives entitlement reduced month limit caps months aggregate period benefits individual programs sec directs business determined secretary misrepresented status small business owned controlled veterans service disabled veterans order increase contracting opportunities shall debarred contracting years current law reasonable period determined secretary requires secretary commence debarment action days misrepresentation determination complete action days determination includes debarment principals business sec allows following individuals sign veterans benefits claims filed behalf person mentally incompetent physically unable sign court appointed representative caregiver attorney fact agent authorized act behalf individual durable power attorney sec authorizes current law requires secretary commissioner_of_social_security prescribe joint applications social security benefits dependency indemnity compensation sec makes employee participating employee incentive scholarship program liable paid failure maintain employment program sec directs secretary submit congress plan use pay performance mechanisms contracts compensate contractors provision veterans health care services community based outpatient clinics sec extends fy2013 authority obtain income verification information secretary treasury commissioner_of_social_security authority operate regional office republic_of_the_philippines sec directs secretary report congress feasibility advisability establishing northern rockies requires lewis clark_county montana evaluated potential location center site sec maintains fy2011 current home loan guaranty fees active duty members reservists decreases fees fy2012 total guaranty active duty members reservists


Summary: Family Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income-based tax credit for 50% of qualified infertility treatment expenses. Allows $13,360 of such expenses to be taken into account for purposes of such credit for all taxable years. Defines "qualified infertility treatment expenses" as amounts paid for the treatment of infertility via in vitro fertilization if such treatment is provided by a licensed physician, surgeon, or other medical practitioner and is administered with respect to a diagnosis of infertility by a physician licensed in the United States.

family act amends internal revenue code allow income based tax credit qualified infertility treatment expenses allows expenses taken account purposes credit taxable years defines qualified infertility treatment expenses amounts paid treatment infertility vitro fertilization treatment provided licensed physician surgeon medical practitioner administered respect diagnosis infertility physician licensed united_states


Summary: Medicare Patient Empowerment Act - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to allow any Medicare beneficiary to enter into a contract with a non-participating (as well as with a participating) physician or practitioner for any item or service covered by Medicare. Allows such beneficiaries to submit a claim for Medicare payment in the amount that would otherwise apply if the claim had been filed by a participating physician or practitioner in the payment area where the physician or practitioner covered by the contract resides. Requires a Medicare beneficiary to agree in writing in such a contract to: (1) pay the physician or practitioner for a Medicare-covered item or service; and (2) submit (in lieu of the physician or practitioner) a claim for Medicare payment. Allows a beneficiary, however, to negotiate, as a term of the contract, for the physician or practitioner to file such claims on the beneficiary's behalf. Preempts state laws from limiting the amount of charges for physician and practitioner services for which Medicare payment is made.

medicare patient empowerment act amends title xviii medicare social security act allow medicare beneficiary enter contract non participating participating physician practitioner item service covered medicare allows beneficiaries submit claim medicare payment apply claim filed participating physician practitioner payment area physician practitioner covered contract resides requires medicare beneficiary agree writing contract pay physician practitioner medicare covered item service submit lieu physician practitioner claim medicare payment allows beneficiary negotiate term contract physician practitioner file claims beneficiary behalf preempts state laws limiting charges physician practitioner services medicare payment


Summary: Veterans Health Care Improvement Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to: (1) submit to Congress a plan to introduce pay-for-performance mechanisms into contracts which compensate Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) contractors for the provision of veterans' health care services through community-based outpatient clinics (clinics); (2) commence plan implementation within 60 days after submission, unless Congress enacts a law prohibiting or modifying plan implementation; and (3) report semiannually to Congress on the advisability of utilizing such mechanisms in the provision of VA health care services by means in addition to such clinics.

directs secretary veterans_affairs submit congress plan introduce pay performance mechanisms contracts compensate department_of_veterans_affairs contractors provision veterans health care services community based outpatient clinics clinics commence plan implementation days submission congress enacts law prohibiting modifying plan implementation report semiannually congress advisability utilizing mechanisms provision health care services means addition clinics


Summary: Preservation of Access to Osteoporosis Testing for Medicare Beneficiaries Act of 2011 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to extend through 2013 the minimum payment amount for dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) services for bone mass measurement.

beneficiaries act amends title xviii medicare social security act extend minimum payment dual energy ray absorptiometry dxa services bone mass measurement