H.R. 1616 – Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated November 24, 2025 at 2:25 AM UTC

The Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act changes Medicare rules so that, in addition to physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants can provide the paperwork needed for patients with diabetes to receive covered therapeutic shoes. This expands who can certify the medical need, making it easier for eligible Medicare beneficiaries to obtain the shoes they need.

Key Provisions

Amends the Social Security Act to add nurse practitioners and physician assistants to the list of providers who can meet the Medicare documentation requirement for coverage of therapeutic shoes for people with diabetes.

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Energy and Commerce Committee

February 26, 2025

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

February 26, 2025

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Energy and Commerce Committee

February 26, 2025

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued February 26, 2025

I

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1616

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 26, 2025

Mr. LaHood (for himself and Ms. Barragán) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to permit nurse practitioners and physician assistants to satisfy the documentation requirement under the Medicare program for coverage of certain shoes for individuals with diabetes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act.

2.

Permitting nurse practitioners and physician assistants to satisfy Medicare documentation requirement for coverage of certain shoes for individuals with diabetes

Section 1861(s)(12) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(s)(12)) is amended—

(1)

in subparagraph (A), by inserting , nurse practitioner, or physician assistant after physician; and

(2)

in subparagraph (C), by inserting , nurse practitioner, or physician assistant after each occurrence of physician.