The SAFE Act amends the Social Security Act to include physical and occupational therapy benefits in Medicare annual wellness visits and initial preventive physical exams and requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit an annual report to Congress regarding falls experienced by individuals aged 65 and older.
Carol Miller
Representative
WV-1
The SAFE Act amends the Social Security Act to include physical and occupational therapy benefits in Medicare annual wellness visits and initial preventive physical exams starting in 2026 for individuals determined to have fallen in the previous year. It mandates that these individuals receive falls risk assessments, fall prevention services, and outpatient therapy services. Additionally, the Act requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit annual reports to Congress on falls experienced by individuals aged 65 and older.
SAFE Act Adds Fall Prevention to Medicare Wellness Visits, Starting 2026
The Stopping Addiction and Falls for the Elderly (SAFE) Act is pretty straightforward: it aims to keep older folks on their feet and out of the hospital by adding fall prevention services to Medicare. Starting January 1, 2026, if you're 65 or older and your doctor notes you've had a fall in the past year, your annual wellness visit or initial preventive exam can include a falls risk assessment and fall prevention services. These could be provided by physical or occupational therapists, even separately from the main visit (SEC. 2).
Breaking Down the SAFE Act
This bill is all about getting ahead of the problem. Falls are a major health issue for older adults, leading to injuries, hospitalizations, and a whole lot of stress. The SAFE Act tackles this head-on by making sure that if you've had a tumble, you're getting checked out and getting access to therapies that can help prevent future falls. Think of it like this: if you're a homeowner and your roof starts leaking, you don't just patch the hole, you figure out why it's leaking to prevent future problems. This bill does the same thing for falls.
Real-World Rollout
Imagine a retired teacher, Ms. Johnson, who slipped on ice last winter. Under the SAFE Act, at her next Medicare wellness visit, her doctor can refer her for a fall risk assessment. A physical therapist might work with her on balance exercises, or an occupational therapist could suggest modifications to her home to make it safer. This isn't just about fixing the immediate problem; it's about giving people the tools and support to stay steady and independent. This is a big deal because it shifts the focus from reacting to falls to preventing them.
Tracking the Impact
The bill also requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report to Congress every year, starting January 1, 2027, on how many folks 65 and older are experiencing falls and getting treatment (SEC. 3). This isn't just paperwork; it's about keeping an eye on whether the program is actually working and seeing if the number of falls is going down year over year. It's like tracking your company's sales figures – you need to know what's working and what's not to make smart decisions.
Potential Hurdles
Of course, adding new services to Medicare means increased costs. The bill doesn't spell out exactly how much this will add to the budget. It'll be up to healthcare providers to accurately assess fall risk, and there's always the potential for over-utilization of services. But, the flip side is that preventing falls could save a lot of money in the long run by reducing hospitalizations and long-term care needs. It's a bit of a balancing act.
The Big Picture
The SAFE Act is a targeted approach to a specific problem. It amends the Social Security Act to integrate fall prevention directly into Medicare's existing framework. It's not trying to reinvent the wheel; it's adding a crucial component to something that's already in place. By focusing on a high-risk group (those who've already fallen), the bill aims to make a measurable difference in the lives of older adults and potentially reduce healthcare costs down the line.