The ALS Better Care Act expands Medicare coverage for specialized care services for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease. Starting January 1, 2027, Medicare will provide a bundled payment of $800 annually (adjusted for inflation in subsequent years) to qualified ALS care providers for comprehensive services including specialized physician support, occupational and speech therapy, physical therapy, dietary support, respiratory care, nursing support, and medical equipment coordination. The payment applies to all ALS patients enrolled in Medicare without cost-sharing. The bill also requires the Comptroller General to assess appropriate payment levels every three years starting in 2027, includes additional payments for providers participating in ALS clinical trials, and mandates a report within 90 days on barriers to staffing and administering ALS research trials. The legislation aims to improve patient outcomes by incentivizing facilities to invest in ALS care, particularly benefiting rural patients through telehealth options.
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