To amend title XVII of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of cardiovascular screening tests under the medicare program.

1. Adds SEC. __. COVERAGE OF CARDIOVASCULAR SCREENING TESTS at the appropriate place in title IV

   Adds a section

   Inserted: SEC. __. COVERAGE OF CARDIOVASCULAR SCREENING TESTS.

   Inserted: (a) Coverage.--Section 1861(s)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(s)(2)) is amended--

   Inserted: (1) in subparagraph (U), by striking "and" at the end;

   Inserted: (2) in subparagraph (V)(iii), by inserting "and" at the end; and

   Inserted: (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

   Inserted: "(W) cardiovascular screening tests (as defined in subsection (ww)(1));".

   Inserted: (b) Services Described.--Section 1861 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

   Inserted: "Cardiovascular Screening Tests

   Inserted: "(ww)(1) The term 'cardiovascular screening tests' means the following diagnostic tests for the early detection of cardiovascular disease:

   Inserted: "(A) Tests for the determination of cholesterol levels.

   Inserted: "(B) Tests for the determination of lipid levels of the blood.

   Inserted: "(C) Such other tests for cardiovascular disease as the Secretary may approve.

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   Inserted: "(2)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall establish standards, in consultation with appropriate organizations, regarding the frequency and type of cardiovascular screening tests.

   Inserted: "(B) With respect to the frequency of cardiovascular screening tests approved by the Secretary under subparagraph (A), in no case may the frequency of such tests be more often than once every 2 years.".

   Inserted: (c) Frequency.--Section 1862(a)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395y(a)(1)) is amended--

   Inserted: (1) by striking "and" at the end of subparagraph (H);

   Inserted: (2) by striking the semicolon at the end of subparagraph (I) and inserting ", and"; and

   Inserted: (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

   Inserted: "(J) in the case of a cardiovascular screening test (as defined in section 1861(ww)(1)), which is performed more frequently than is covered under section 1861(ww)(2).".

   Inserted: (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall apply to tests furnished on or after January 1, 2004.

   The amendment doesn't say where this goes; the clerk decides.

   Original wording

   At the appropriate place in title IV, insert the following:

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As printed