Rural ER Access Act
Source: Congress.gov ·
364 words in original text
What This Bill Does
This bill tells the Secretary of Health and Human Services to change Medicare rules. It removes a rule that says off-campus facilities or organizations must be located within 35 miles of a hospital or critical access hospital (a smaller rural hospital) to get certain Medicare provider status.
Who It Affects
The Secretary of Health and Human Services. Off-campus healthcare facilities or organizations that want Medicare provider-based status. Hospitals and critical access hospitals. Medicare patients and healthcare providers in rural areas.
Key Provisions
• The Secretary must revise federal regulations to remove the 35-mile distance requirement for off-campus facilities seeking provider-based status (a designation allowing them to bill Medicare under a hospital's name). (Sec. 2)
• The Secretary must complete this regulatory change no later than 60 days after this bill becomes law. (Sec. 2)
• The change applies to section 413.65(e)(3)(i) of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations or any successor regulation. (Sec. 2)
What Changes
Off-campus healthcare facilities will no longer need to be within 35 miles of a hospital or critical access hospital to qualify for provider-based status under Medicare rules.
Important Definitions
Provider-based status: A designation that allows an off-campus facility to bill Medicare under a hospital's name rather than independently. Critical access hospital: A smaller rural hospital.
Effective Date
The Secretary must complete the regulatory changes within 60 days after the bill is enacted.
Important: This plain English summary was generated by AI and is provided for informational purposes only.
It is not legal advice. Always consult the official bill text on Congress.gov
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