Medicare Set to Cover Portable Ultrasounds At Your Doorstep Starting 2027

This bill, the Portable Ultrasound Reimbursement Equity Act of 2025, basically tells Medicare to start paying for the transportation and setup costs when ultrasound equipment needs to be brought to a patient. Think of it like how Medicare already covers bringing portable X-ray machines to someone's location. The goal is to make diagnostic ultrasound tests more accessible by treating them similarly to portable X-rays under Medicare rules, specifically starting for services provided on or after January 1, 2027.

Bringing Diagnostics Home: What's Changing?

The core change here is adding portable ultrasound services to the list of things Medicare Part B covers, right alongside portable X-rays (amending Section 1861(s)(3) of the Social Security Act). Currently, while the ultrasound test itself might be covered, getting the machine to the patient – especially if they're homebound, in a nursing facility, or in a remote area – might not be reimbursed separately. This bill directs Medicare to create specific payments for the transportation and setup involved, aiming for 'equity' with the long-standing portable X-ray coverage. For someone needing an abdominal ultrasound who can't easily get to a clinic, this could mean the difference between getting a timely diagnosis or facing significant logistical hurdles and potential out-of-pocket travel costs.

Rolling Out the Scans: How It Works

This isn't flipping a switch overnight; the changes are set to take effect from January 1, 2027. Before then, the Secretary of Health and Human Services has homework to do. The bill requires them to establish specific requirements for the companies or suppliers providing these portable ultrasound services. These rules will likely cover things like equipment standards, personnel qualifications, and safety protocols, mirroring the existing regulations for portable X-ray suppliers (found in 42 CFR part 486, subpart C). This framework aims to ensure that while access is expanded, quality and patient safety are maintained. The practical effect? More Medicare beneficiaries, particularly those with mobility challenges or living far from imaging centers, could get necessary ultrasounds conveniently and potentially sooner, without the stress and cost of travel.