Do Speech Generating Devices Need to be More Accessible Through Medicare? (S. 984)

What is S. 984?

(Updated March 15, 2018)

This bill was enacted on July 30, 2015

This bill would make speech generating devices (SGDs) more accessible by changing how Medicare covers and pays for devices when patients need them. Eye tracking and gaze interaction accessories for speech generating devices under this bill would be considered durable medical equipment under Medicare for people with a demonstrated medical need for them.

Payments for these devices could be made on a rental basis or a lump-sum amount. Device costs would be capped if they were issued on or after October 1, 2015 and before October 1, 2019.

Argument in favor

Making these devices more accessible would improve the ability of people suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and similarly damaging diseases to communicate and live more independent lives.

Argument opposed

If this is only going to increase the deficit by about $3 million per year, isn’t there a way that these devices could be provided through the public sector or non-profits so the tab doesn't get put on federal budget?

Impact

People who would benefit from using SGDs, health insurance companies, and Medicare.

Cost of S. 984

A CBO cost estimate found that this bill would increase deficits by about $30 million over the 2015-2025 period, which is about $2.7 million per year.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Many people who are battling ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease) — including former NFL player Steve Gleason whom this bill is named after — are only able to verbally communicate with the assistance of eye tracking technology and gaze interaction accessories.