42 USC 1395 - Requirements for, and assuring quality of care in, skilled nursing facilities

Collapse to view only § 1395i-3. Requirements for, and assuring quality of care in, skilled nursing facilities

§ 1395c. Description of program
§ 1395d. Scope of benefits
§ 1395e. Deductibles and coinsurance
§ 1395f. Conditions of and limitations on payment for services
§ 1395g. Payments to providers of services
§ 1395h. Provisions relating to the administration of part A
§ 1395i. Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund
§ 1395i-1. Authorization of appropriations
§ 1395i-1a. Repealed.
§ 1395i-2. Hospital insurance benefits for uninsured elderly individuals not otherwise eligible
§ 1395i-2a. Hospital insurance benefits for disabled individuals who have exhausted other entitlement
§ 1395i-3. Requirements for, and assuring quality of care in, skilled nursing facilities
§ 1395i-3a. Protecting residents of long-term care facilities
§ 1395i-4. Medicare rural hospital flexibility program
§ 1395i-5. Conditions for coverage of religious nonmedical health care institutional services
§ 1395i-6. Hospice program survey and enforcement procedures

§ 1395c. Description of program

The insurance program for which entitlement is established by sections 426 and 426–1 of this title provides basic protection against the costs of hospital, related post-hospital, home health services, and hospice care in accordance with this part for (1) individuals who are age 65 or over and are eligible for retirement benefits under subchapter II of this chapter (or would be eligible for such benefits if certain government employment were covered employment under such subchapter) or under the railroad retirement system, (2) individuals under age 65 who have been entitled for not less than 24 months to benefits under subchapter II of this chapter (or would have been so entitled to such benefits if certain government employment were covered employment under such subchapter) or under the railroad retirement system on the basis of a disability, and (3) certain individuals who do not meet the conditions specified in either clause (1) or (2) but who are medically determined to have end stage renal disease.

(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1811, as added Pub. L. 89–97, title I, § 102(a), July 30, 1965, 79 Stat. 291; amended Pub. L. 92–603, title II, § 201(a)(2), Oct. 30, 1972, 86 Stat. 1371; Pub. L. 95–292, § 4(a), June 13, 1978, 92 Stat. 315; Pub. L. 96–265, title I, § 103(a)(2), June 9, 1980, 94 Stat. 444; Pub. L. 96–473, § 2(b), Oct. 19, 1980, 94 Stat. 2263; Pub. L. 96–499, title IX, § 930(a), Dec. 5, 1980, 94 Stat. 2631; Pub. L. 97–248, title I, § 122(a)(1), title II, § 278(b)(3), Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 356, 561; Pub. L. 99–272, title XIII, § 13205(b)(2)(C)(i), Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 317; Pub. L. 100–360, title I, § 104(d)(1), July 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 688; Pub. L. 101–234, title I, § 101(a), Dec. 13, 1989, 103 Stat. 1979.)

§ 1395d. Scope of benefits

(a) Entitlement to payment for inpatient hospital services, post-hospital extended care services, home health services, and hospice careThe benefits provided to an individual by the insurance program under this part shall consist of entitlement to have payment made on his behalf or, in the case of payments referred to in section 1395f(d)(2) of this title to him (subject to the provisions of this part) for—

(1) inpatient hospital services or inpatient critical access hospital services for up to 150 days during any spell of illness minus 1 day for each day of such services in excess of 90 received during any preceding spell of illness (if such individual was entitled to have payment for such services made under this part unless he specifies in accordance with regulations of the Secretary that he does not desire to have such payment made);

(2)

(A) post-hospital extended care services for up to 100 days during any spell of illness, and (B) to the extent provided in subsection (f), extended care services that are not post-hospital extended care services;

(3) in the case of individuals not enrolled in part B, home health services, and in the case of individuals so enrolled, post-institutional home health services furnished during a home health spell of illness for up to 100 visits during such spell of illness;

(4) in lieu of certain other benefits, hospice care with respect to the individual during up to two periods of 90 days each and an unlimited number of subsequent periods of 60 days each with respect to which the individual makes an election under subsection (d)(1); and

(5) for individuals who are terminally ill, have not made an election under subsection (d)(1), and have not previously received services under this paragraph, services that are furnished by a physician (as defined in section 1395x(r)(1) of this title) who is either the medical director or an employee of a hospice program and that—

(A) consist of—

(i) an evaluation of the individual’s need for pain and symptom management, including the individual’s need for hospice care; and

(ii) counseling the individual with respect to hospice care and other care options; and

(B) may include advising the individual regarding advanced care planning.

(b) Services not coveredPayment under this part for services furnished an individual during a spell of illness may not (subject to subsection (c)) be made for—

(1) inpatient hospital services furnished to him during such spell after such services have been furnished to him for 150 days during such spell minus 1 day for each day of inpatient hospital services in excess of 90 received during any preceding spell of illness (if such individual was entitled to have payment for such services made under this part unless he specifies in accordance with regulations of the Secretary that he does not desire to have such payment made);

(2) post-hospital extended care services furnished to him during such spell after such services have been furnished to him for 100 days during such spell; or

(3) inpatient psychiatric hospital services furnished to him after such services have been furnished to him for a total of 190 days during his lifetime.

Payment under this part for post-institutional home health services furnished an individual during a home health spell of illness may not be made for such services beginning after such services have been furnished for a total of 100 visits during such spell.

(d) Hospice care; election; waiver of rights; revocation; change of election

(1) Payment under this part may be made for hospice care provided with respect to an individual only during two periods of 90 days each and an unlimited number of subsequent periods of 60 days each during the individual’s lifetime and only, with respect to each such period, if the individual makes an election under this paragraph to receive hospice care under this part provided by, or under arrangements made by, a particular hospice program instead of certain other benefits under this subchapter.

(2)

(A) Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C) and except in such exceptional and unusual circumstances as the Secretary may provide, if an individual makes such an election for a period with respect to a particular hospice program, the individual shall be deemed to have waived all rights to have payment made under this subchapter with respect to—

(i) hospice care provided by another hospice program (other than under arrangements made by the particular hospice program) during the period, and

(ii) services furnished during the period that are determined (in accordance with guidelines of the Secretary) to be—(I) related to the treatment of the individual’s condition with respect to which a diagnosis of terminal illness has been made or(II) equivalent to (or duplicative of) hospice care;

except that clause (ii) shall not apply to physicians’ services furnished by the individual’s attending physician (if not an employee of the hospice program) or to services provided by (or under arrangements made by) the hospice program.

(B) After an individual makes such an election with respect to a 90-day period or a subsequent 60-day period, the individual may revoke the election during the period, in which case—

(i) the revocation shall act as a waiver of the right to have payment made under this part for any hospice care benefits for the remaining time in such period and (for purposes of subsection (a)(4) and subparagraph (A)) the individual shall be deemed to have been provided such benefits during such entire period, and

(ii) the individual may at any time after the revocation execute a new election for a subsequent period, if the individual otherwise is entitled to hospice care benefits with respect to such a period.

(C) An individual may, once in each such period, change the hospice program with respect to which the election is made and such change shall not be considered a revocation of an election under subparagraph (B).

(D) For purposes of this subchapter, an individual’s election with respect to a hospice program shall no longer be considered to be in effect with respect to that hospice program after the date the individual’s revocation or change of election with respect to that election takes effect.

(e) Services taken into account

(f) Coverage of extended care services without regard to three-day prior hospitalization requirement

(1) The Secretary shall provide for coverage, under clause (B) of subsection (a)(2), of extended care services which are not post-hospital extended care services at such time and for so long as the Secretary determines, and under such terms and conditions (described in paragraph (2)) as the Secretary finds appropriate, that the inclusion of such services will not result in any increase in the total of payments made under this subchapter and will not alter the acute care nature of the benefit described in subsection (a)(2).

(2) The Secretary may provide—

(A) for such limitations on the scope and extent of services described in subsection (a)(2)(B) and on the categories of individuals who may be eligible to receive such services, and

(B) notwithstanding sections 1395f, 1395x(v), and 1395ww of this title, for such restrictions and alternatives on the amounts and methods of payment for services described in such subsection,

as may be necessary to carry out paragraph (1).

(g) “Spell of illness” defined

(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1812, as added Pub. L. 89–97, title I, § 102(a), July 30, 1965, 79 Stat. 291; amended Pub. L. 90–248, title I, §§ 129(c)(2), 137(a), 138(a), 143(b), 146(a), Jan. 2, 1968, 81 Stat. 847, 853, 854, 857, 859; Pub. L. 96–499, title IX, §§ 930(b)–(d), 931(a), Dec. 5, 1980, 94 Stat. 2631, 2633; Pub. L. 97–35, title XXI, § 2121(a), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 796; Pub. L. 97–248, title I, §§ 122(b), 123, Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 356, 364; Pub. L. 97–448, title III, § 309(b)(5), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2409; Pub. L. 100–360, title I, § 101, July 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 684; Pub. L. 101–234, title I, § 101(a), Dec. 13, 1989, 103 Stat. 1979; Pub. L. 101–239, title VI, § 6003(g)(3)(B)(i), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2152; Pub. L. 101–508, title IV, § 4006(a), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–43; Pub. L. 103–432, title I, § 102(g)(1), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4404; Pub. L. 105–33, title IV, §§ 4201(c)(1), 4443(a), (b)(1), 4611(a), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 373, 423, 472; Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(6) [title III, § 321(k)(1)], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A–366; Pub. L. 108–173, title V, § 512(a), title VII, § 736(c)(1), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2299, 2356.)

§ 1395e. Deductibles and coinsurance

(a) Inpatient hospital services; outpatient hospital diagnostic services; blood; post-hospital extended care services

(1) The amount payable for inpatient hospital services or inpatient critical access hospital services furnished an individual during any spell of illness shall be reduced by a deduction equal to the inpatient hospital deductible or, if less, the charges imposed with respect to such individual for such services, except that, if the customary charges for such services are greater than the charges so imposed, such customary charges shall be considered to be the charges so imposed. Such amount shall be further reduced by a coinsurance amount equal to—

(A) one-fourth of the inpatient hospital deductible for each day (before the 91st day) on which such individual is furnished such services during such spell of illness after such services have been furnished to him for 60 days during such spell; and

(B) one-half of the inpatient hospital deductible for each day (before the day following the last day for which such individual is entitled under section 1395d(a)(1) of this title to have payment made on his behalf for inpatient hospital services or inpatient critical access hospital services during such spell of illness) on which such individual is furnished such services during such spell of illness after such services have been furnished to him for 90 days during such spell;

except that the reduction under this sentence for any day shall not exceed the charges imposed for that day with respect to such individual for such services (and for this purpose, if the customary charges for such services are greater than the charges so imposed, such customary charges shall be considered to be the charges so imposed).

(2)

(A) The amount payable to any provider of services under this part for services furnished an individual shall be further reduced by a deduction equal to the expenses incurred for the first three pints of whole blood (or equivalent quantities of packed red blood cells, as defined under regulations) furnished to the individual during each calendar year, except that such deductible for such blood shall in accordance with regulations be appropriately reduced to the extent that there has been a replacement of such blood (or equivalent quantities of packed red blood cells, as so defined); and for such purposes blood (or equivalent quantities of packed red blood cells, as so defined) furnished such individual shall be deemed replaced when the institution or other person furnishing such blood (or such equivalent quantities of packed red blood cells, as so defined) is given one pint of blood for each pint of blood (or equivalent quantities of packed red blood cells, as so defined) furnished such individual with respect to which a deduction is made under this sentence.

(B) The deductible under subparagraph (A) for blood or blood cells furnished an individual in a year shall be reduced to the extent that a deductible has been imposed under section 1395l(b) of this title to blood or blood cells furnished the individual in the year.

(3) The amount payable for post-hospital extended care services furnished an individual during any spell of illness shall be reduced by a coinsurance amount equal to one-eighth of the inpatient hospital deductible for each day (before the 101st day) on which he is furnished such services after such services have been furnished to him for 20 days during such spell.

(4)

(A) The amount payable for hospice care shall be reduced—

(i) in the case of drugs and biologicals provided on an outpatient basis by (or under arrangements made by) the hospice program, by a coinsurance amount equal to an amount (not to exceed $5 per prescription) determined in accordance with a drug copayment schedule (established by the hospice program) which is related to, and approximates 5 percent of, the cost of the drug or biological to the program, and

(ii) in the case of respite care provided by (or under arrangements made by) the hospice program, by a coinsurance amount equal to 5 percent of the amount estimated by the hospice program (in accordance with regulations of the Secretary) to be equal to the amount of payment under section 1395f(i) of this title to that program for respite care;

except that the total of the coinsurance required under clause (ii) for an individual may not exceed for a hospice coinsurance period the inpatient hospital deductible applicable for the year in which the period began. For purposes of this subparagraph, the term “hospice coinsurance period” means, for an individual, a period of consecutive days beginning with the first day for which an election under section 1395d(d) of this title is in effect for the individual and ending with the close of the first period of 14 consecutive days on each of which such an election is not in effect for the individual.

(B) During the period of an election by an individual under section 1395d(d)(1) of this title, no copayments or deductibles other than those under subparagraph (A) shall apply with respect to services furnished to such individual which constitute hospice care, regardless of the setting in which such services are furnished.

(b) Inpatient hospital deductible; application

(1) The inpatient hospital deductible for 1987 shall be $520. The inpatient hospital deductible for any succeeding year shall be an amount equal to the inpatient hospital deductible for the preceding calendar year, changed by the Secretary’s best estimate of the payment-weighted average of the applicable percentage increases (as defined in section 1395ww(b)(3)(B) of this title) which are applied under section 1395ww(d)(3)(A) of this title for discharges in the fiscal year that begins on October 1 of such preceding calendar year, and adjusted to reflect changes in real case mix (determined on the basis of the most recent case mix data available). Any amount determined under the preceding sentence which is not a multiple of $4 shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $4 (or, if it is midway between two multiples of $4, to the next higher multiple of $4).

(2) The Secretary shall promulgate the inpatient hospital deductible and all coinsurance amounts under this section between September 1 and September 15 of the year preceding the year to which they will apply.

(3) The inpatient hospital deductible for a year shall apply to—

(A) the deduction under the first sentence of subsection (a)(1) for the year in which the first day of inpatient hospital services or inpatient critical access hospital services occurs in a spell of illness, and

(B) to the coinsurance amounts under subsection (a) for inpatient hospital services, inpatient critical access hospital services and post-hospital extended care services furnished in that year.

(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1813, as added Pub. L. 89–97, title I, § 102(a), July 30, 1965, 79 Stat. 292; amended Pub. L. 90–248, title I, §§ 129(c)(3), (4), 135(a), 137(b), Jan. 2, 1968, 81 Stat. 847, 848, 852, 854; Pub. L. 97–35, title XXI, §§ 2131(a), 2132(a), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 797; Pub. L. 97–248, title I, § 122(e), Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 361; Pub. L. 99–272, title IX, § 9125(a), Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 168; Pub. L. 99–509, title IX, § 9301(a), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1981; Pub. L. 100–203, title IV, § 4002(f)(3), Dec. 22, 1987, as added Pub. L. 100–360, title IV, § 411(b)(1)(H)(ii), July 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 769; Pub. L. 100–360, title I, § 102, July 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 685; Pub. L. 101–234, title I, § 101(a), Dec. 13, 1989, 103 Stat. 1979; Pub. L. 103–432, title I, § 102(g)(2), (3), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4404; Pub. L. 105–33, title IV, § 4201(c)(1), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 373.)

§ 1395f. Conditions of and limitations on payment for services

(a) Requirement of requests and certificationsExcept as provided in subsections (d) and (g) and in section 1395mm of this title, payment for services furnished an individual may be made only to providers of services which are eligible therefor under section 1395cc of this title and only if—

(1) written request, signed by such individual, except in cases in which the Secretary finds it impracticable for the individual to do so, is filed for such payment in such form, in such manner, and by such person or persons as the Secretary may by regulation prescribe, no later than the close of the period ending 1 calendar year after the date of service;

(2) a physician, or, in the case of services described in subparagraph (B), a physician, or a nurse practitioner, a clinical nurse specialist, or a physician assistant (as those terms are defined in section 1395x(aa)(5) of this title) who does not have a direct or indirect employment relationship with the facility but is working in collaboration with a physician,,1

1 So in original.

or, in the case of services described in subparagraph (C), a physician, a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist (as such terms are defined in section 1395x(aa)(5) of this title) who is working in accordance with State law, or a physician assistant (as defined in section 1395x(aa)(5) of this title) who is working in accordance with State law, who is enrolled under section 1395cc(j) of this title, certifies (and recertifies, where such services are furnished over a period of time, in such cases, with such frequency, and accompanied by such supporting material, appropriate to the case involved, as may be provided by regulations, except that the first of such recertifications shall be required in each case of inpatient hospital services not later than the 20th day of such period) that—

(A) in the case of inpatient psychiatric hospital services, such services are or were required to be given on an inpatient basis, by or under the supervision of a physician, for the psychiatric treatment of an individual; and (i) such treatment can or could reasonably be expected to improve the condition for which such treatment is or was necessary or (ii) inpatient diagnostic study is or was medically required and such services are or were necessary for such purposes;

(B) in the case of post-hospital extended care services, such services are or were required to be given because the individual needs or needed on a daily basis skilled nursing care (provided directly by or requiring the supervision of skilled nursing personnel) or other skilled rehabilitation services, which as a practical matter can only be provided in a skilled nursing facility on an inpatient basis, for any of the conditions with respect to which he was receiving inpatient hospital services (or services which would constitute inpatient hospital services if the institution met the requirements of paragraphs (6) and (9) of section 1395x(e) of this title) prior to transfer to the skilled nursing facility or for a condition requiring such extended care services which arose after such transfer and while he was still in the facility for treatment of the condition or conditions for which he was receiving such inpatient hospital services;

(C) in the case of home health services, such services are or were required because the individual is or was confined to his home (except when receiving items and services referred to in section 1395x(m)(7) of this title) and needs or needed skilled nursing care (other than solely venipuncture for the purpose of obtaining a blood sample) on an intermittent basis or physical or speech therapy or, in the case of an individual who has been furnished home health services based on such a need and who no longer has such a need for such care or therapy, continues or continued to need occupational therapy; a plan for furnishing such services to such individual has been established and is periodically reviewed by a physician, a nurse practitioner, a clinical nurse specialist, or a physician assistant (as the case may be); such services are or were furnished while the individual was under the care of a physician, a nurse practitioner, a clinical nurse specialist, or a physician assistant (as the case may be), and, in the case of a certification made by a physician after January 1, 2010, or by a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or physician assistant (as the case may be) after a date specified by the Secretary (but in no case later than the date that is 6 months after March 27, 2020), prior to making such certification a physician, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or physician assistant must document that a physician, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, certified nurse-midwife (as defined in section 1395x(gg) of this title) as authorized by State law, or physician assistant has had a face-to-face encounter (including through use of telehealth, subject to the requirements in section 1395m(m) of this title, and other than with respect to encounters that are incident to services involved) with the individual within a reasonable timeframe as determined by the Secretary; or

(D) in the case of inpatient hospital services in connection with the care, treatment, filling, removal, or replacement of teeth or structures directly supporting teeth, the individual, because of his underlying medical condition and clinical status or because of the severity of the dental procedure, requires hospitalization in connection with the provision of such services;

(3) with respect to inpatient hospital services (other than inpatient psychiatric hospital services) which are furnished over a period of time, a physician certifies that such services are required to be given on an inpatient basis for such individual’s medical treatment, or that inpatient diagnostic study is medically required and such services are necessary for such purpose, except that (A) such certification shall be furnished only in such cases, with such frequency, and accompanied by such supporting material, appropriate to the cases involved, as may be provided by regulations, and (B) the first such certification required in accordance with clause (A) shall be furnished no later than the 20th day of such period;

(4) in the case of inpatient psychiatric hospital services, the services are those which the records of the hospital indicate were furnished to the individual during periods when he was receiving (A) intensive treatment services, (B) admission and related services necessary for a diagnostic study, or (C) equivalent services;

(5) with respect to inpatient hospital services furnished such individual after the 20th day of a continuous period of such services, there was not in effect, at the time of admission of such individual to the hospital, a decision under section 1395cc(d) of this title (based on a finding that utilization review of long-stay cases is not being made in such hospital);

(6) with respect to inpatient hospital services or post-hospital extended care services furnished such individual during a continuous period, a finding has not been made (by the physician members of the committee or group, as described in section 1395x(k)(4) of this title, including any finding made in the course of a sample or other review of admissions to the institution) pursuant to the system of utilization review that further inpatient hospital services or further post-hospital extended care services, as the case may be, are not medically necessary; except that, if such a finding has been made, payment may be made for such services furnished before the 4th day after the day on which the hospital or skilled nursing facility, as the case may be, received notice of such finding;

(7) in the case of hospice care provided an individual—

(A)

(i) in the first 90-day period—(I) the individual’s attending physician (as defined in section 1395x(dd)(3)(B) of this title) (which for purposes of this subparagraph does not include a nurse practitioner or a physician assistant), and(II) the medical director (or physician member of the interdisciplinary group described in section 1395x(dd)(2)(B) of this title) of the hospice program providing (or arranging for) the care,

each certify in writing at the beginning of the period, that the individual is terminally ill (as defined in section 1395x(dd)(3)(A) of this title) based on the physician’s or medical director’s clinical judgment regarding the normal course of the individual’s illness, and

(ii) in a subsequent 90- or 60-day period, the medical director or physician described in clause (i)(II) recertifies at the beginning of the period that the individual is terminally ill based on such clinical judgment;

(B) a written plan for providing hospice care with respect to such individual has been established (before such care is provided by, or under arrangements made by, that hospice program) and is periodically reviewed by the individual’s attending physician and by the medical director (and the interdisciplinary group described in section 1395x(dd)(2)(B) of this title) of the hospice program;

(D) on and after January 1, 2011 (and, in the case of clause (ii), before October 6, 2014)—

(i)(I) subject to subclause (II), a hospice physician or nurse practitioner has a face-to-face encounter with the individual to determine continued eligibility of the individual for hospice care prior to the 180th-day recertification and each subsequent recertification under subparagraph (A)(ii) and attests that such visit took place (in accordance with procedures established by the Secretary); and(II) during the emergency period described in section 1320b–5(g)(1)(B) of this title, and, in the case that such emergency period ends before December 31, 2024, during the period beginning on the first day after the end of such emergency period described in such section 1320b–5(g)(1)(B) of this title and ending on December 31, 2024, a hospice physician or nurse practitioner may conduct a face-to-face encounter required under this clause via telehealth, as determined appropriate by the Secretary; and

(ii) in the case of hospice care provided an individual for more than 180 days by a hospice program for which the number of such cases for such program comprises more than a percent (specified by the Secretary) of the total number of such cases for all programs under this subchapter, the hospice care provided to such individual is medically reviewed (in accordance with procedures established by the Secretary); and

(E) on and after October 6, 2014, in the case of hospice care provided an individual for more than 180 days by a hospice program for which the number of such cases for such program comprises more than a percent (specified by the Secretary) of the total number of all cases of individuals provided hospice care by the program under this subchapter, the hospice care provided to such individual is medically reviewed (in accordance with procedures established by the Secretary); and

(8) in the case of inpatient critical access hospital services, a physician certifies that the individual may reasonably be expected to be discharged or transferred to a hospital within 96 hours after admission to the critical access hospital.

To the extent provided by regulations, the certification and recertification requirements of paragraph (2) shall be deemed satisfied where, at a later date, a physician, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or physician assistant (as the case may be) makes certification of the kind provided in subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D) of paragraph (2) (whichever would have applied), but only where such certification is accompanied by such medical and other evidence as may be required by such regulations. With respect to the certification required by paragraph (2) for home health services furnished to any individual by a home health agency (other than an agency which is a governmental entity) and with respect to the establishment and review of a plan for such services, the Secretary shall prescribe regulations which shall become effective no later than July 1, 1981 (or in the case of regulations to implement the amendments made by section 3708 of the CARES Act, the Secretary shall prescribe regulations, which shall become effective no later than 6 months after March 27, 2020), and which prohibit a physician, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or physician assistant who has a significant ownership interest in, or a significant financial or contractual relationship with, such home health agency from performing such certification and from establishing or reviewing such plan, except that such prohibition shall not apply with respect to a home health agency which is a sole community home health agency (as determined by the Secretary). For purposes of the preceding sentence, service by a physician, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or physician assistant as an uncompensated officer or director of a home health agency shall not constitute having a significant ownership interest in, or a significant financial or contractual relationship with, such agency. For purposes of documentation for physician certification and recertification made under paragraph (2) on or after January 1, 2019 or no later than 6 months after March 27, 2020, for purposes of documentation for certification and recertification made under paragraph (2) by a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or physician assistant,,1

(b) Amount paid to provider of servicesThe amount paid to any provider of services (other than a hospice program providing hospice care, other than a critical access hospital providing inpatient critical access hospital services, and other than a home health agency with respect to durable medical equipment) with respect to services for which payment may be made under this part shall, subject to the provisions of sections 1395e, 1395ww, and 1395fff of this title, be—

(1) except as provided in paragraph (3), the lesser of (A) the reasonable cost of such services, as determined under section 1395x(v) of this title and as further limited by section 1395rr(b)(2)(B) of this title, or (B) the customary charges with respect to such services;

(2) if such services are furnished by a public provider of services, or by another provider which demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary that a significant portion of its patients are low-income (and requests that payment be made under this paragraph), free of charge or at nominal charges to the public, the amount determined on the basis of those items (specified in regulations prescribed by the Secretary) included in the determination of such reasonable cost which the Secretary finds will provide fair compensation to such provider for such services; or

(3) if some or all of the hospitals in a State have been reimbursed for services (for which payment may be made under this part) pursuant to a reimbursement system approved as a demonstration project under section 402 of the Social Security Amendments of 1967 or section 222 of the Social Security Amendments of 1972, if the rate of increase in such hospitals in their costs per hospital inpatient admission of individuals entitled to benefits under this part over the duration of such project was equal to or less than such rate of increase for admissions of such individuals with respect to all hospitals in the United States during such period, and if either the State has legislative authority to operate such system and the State elects to have reimbursement to such hospitals made in accordance with this paragraph or the system is operated through a voluntary agreement of hospitals and such hospitals elect to have reimbursement to those hospitals made in accordance with this paragraph, then, subject to section 1395ww(d)(3)(B)(ix)(III) 2

2 So in original. Probably should be “1395ww(b)(3)(B)(ix)(III)”.

of this title, the Secretary may provide for continuation of reimbursement to such hospitals under such system until the Secretary determines that—

(A) a third-party payor reimburses such a hospital on a basis other than under such system, or

(B) the aggregate rate of increase from January 1, 1981, to the most recent date for which annual data are available in such hospitals in costs per hospital inpatient admission of individuals entitled to benefits under this part is greater than such rate of increase for admissions of such individuals with respect to all hospitals in the United States for such period.

In the case of any State which has had such a demonstration project reimbursement system in continuous operation since July 1, 1977, the Secretary shall provide under paragraph (3) for continuation of reimbursement to hospitals in the State under such system until the first day of the 37th month beginning after the date the Secretary determines and notifies the Governor of the State that either of the conditions described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of such paragraph has occurred. If, by the end of such 36-month period, the Secretary determines, based on evidence submitted by the Governor of the State, that neither of the conditions described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (3) continues to apply, the Secretary shall continue without interruption payment to hospitals in the State under the State’s system. If, by the end of such 36-month period, the Secretary determines, based on such evidence, that either of the conditions described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of such paragraph continues to apply, the Secretary shall (i) collect any net excess reimbursement to hospitals in the State during such 36-month period (basing such net excess reimbursement on the net difference, if any, in the rate of increase in costs per hospital inpatient admission under the State system compared to the rate of increase in such costs with respect to all hospitals in the United States over the 36-month period, as measured by including the cumulative savings under the State system based on the difference in the rate of increase in costs per hospital inpatient admission under the State system as compared to the rate of increase in such costs with respect to all hospitals in the United States between January 1, 1981, and the date of the Secretary’s initial notice), and (ii) provide a reasonable period, not to exceed 2 years, for transition from the State system to the national payment system. For purposes of applying paragraph (3), there shall be taken into account incentive payments, and payment adjustments under subsection (b)(3)(B)(ix) or (n) of section 1395ww of this title.

(d) Payments for emergency hospital services

(1) Payments shall also be made to any hospital for inpatient hospital services furnished in a calendar year, by the hospital or under arrangements (as defined in section 1395x(w) of this title) with it, to an individual entitled to hospital insurance benefits under section 426 of this title even though such hospital does not have an agreement in effect under this subchapter if (A) such services were emergency services, (B) the Secretary would be required to make such payment if the hospital had such an agreement in effect and otherwise met the conditions of payment hereunder, and (C) such hospital has elected to claim payments for all such inpatient emergency services and for the emergency outpatient services referred to in section 1395n(b) of this title furnished during such year. Such payments shall be made only in the amounts provided under subsection (b) and then only if such hospital agrees to comply, with respect to the emergency services provided, with the provisions of section 1395cc(a) of this title.

(2) Payment may be made on the basis of an itemized bill to an individual entitled to hospital insurance benefits under section 426 of this title for services described in paragraph (1) which are emergency services if (A) payment cannot be made under paragraph (1) solely because the hospital does not elect to claim such payment, and (B) such individual files application (submitted within such time and in such form and manner and by such person, and containing and supported by such information as the Secretary shall by regulations prescribe) for reimbursement.

(3) The amounts payable under the preceding paragraph with respect to services described therein shall, subject to the provisions of section 1395e of this title, be equal to 60 percent of the hospital’s reasonable charges for routine services furnished in the accommodations occupied by the individual or in semiprivate accommodations (as defined in section 1395x(v)(4) of this title), whichever is less, plus 80 percent of the hospital’s reasonable charges for ancillary services. If separate charges for routine and ancillary services are not made by the hospital, reimbursement may be based on two-thirds of the hospital’s reasonable charges for the services received but not to exceed the charges which would have been made if the patient had occupied semiprivate accommodations. For purposes of the preceding provisions of this paragraph, the term “routine services” shall mean the regular room, dietary, and nursing services, minor medical and surgical supplies and the use of equipment and facilities for which a separate charge is not customarily made; the term “ancillary services” shall mean those special services for which charges are customarily made in addition to routine services.

(e) Payment for inpatient hospital services prior to notification of noneligibility

(f) Payment for certain inpatient hospital services furnished outside United States

(1) Payment shall be made for inpatient hospital services furnished to an individual entitled to hospital insurance benefits under section 426 of this title by a hospital located outside the United States, or under arrangements (as defined in section 1395x(w) of this title) with it, if—

(A) such individual is a resident of the United States, and

(B) such hospital was closer to, or substantially more accessible from, the residence of such individual than the nearest hospital within the United States which was adequately equipped to deal with, and was available for the treatment of, such individual’s illness or injury.

(2) Payment may also be made for emergency inpatient hospital services furnished to an individual entitled to hospital insurance benefits under section 426 of this title by a hospital located outside the United States if—

(A) such individual was physically present—

(i) in a place within the United States; or

(ii) at a place within Canada while traveling without unreasonable delay by the most direct route (as determined by the Secretary) between Alaska and another State;

at the time the emergency which necessitated such inpatient hospital services occurred, and

(B) such hospital was closer to, or substantially more accessible from, such place than the nearest hospital within the United States which was adequately equipped to deal with, and was available for the treatment of, such individual’s illness or injury.

(3) Payment shall be made in the amount provided under subsection (b) to any hospital for the inpatient hospital services described in paragraph (1) or (2) furnished to an individual by the hospital or under arrangements (as defined in section 1395x(w) of this title) with it if (A) the Secretary would be required to make such payment if the hospital had an agreement in effect under this subchapter and otherwise met the conditions of payment hereunder, (B) such hospital elects to claim such payment, and (C) such hospital agrees to comply, with respect to such services, with the provisions of section 1395cc(a) of this title.

(4) Payment for the inpatient hospital services described in paragraph (1) or (2) furnished to an individual entitled to hospital insurance benefits under section 426 of this title may be made on the basis of an itemized bill to such individual if (A) payment for such services cannot be made under paragraph (3) solely because the hospital does not elect to claim such payment, and (B) such individual files application (submitted within such time and in such form and manner and by such person, and continuing and supported by such information as the Secretary shall by regulations prescribe) for reimbursement. The amount payable with respect to such services shall, subject to the provisions of section 1395e of this title, be equal to the amount which would be payable under subsection (d)(3).

(g) Payments to physicians for services rendered in teaching hospitalsFor purposes of services for which the reasonable cost thereof is determined under section 1395x(v)(1)(D) of this title (or would be if section 1395ww of this title did not apply), payment under this part shall be made to such fund as may be designated by the organized medical staff of the hospital in which such services were furnished or, if such services were furnished in such hospital by the faculty of a medical school, to such fund as may be designated by such faculty, but only if—

(1) such hospital has an agreement with the Secretary under section 1395cc of this title, and

(2) the Secretary has received written assurances that (A) such payment will be used by such fund solely for the improvement of care of hospital patients or for educational or charitable purposes and (B) the individuals who were furnished such services or any other persons will not be charged for such services (or if charged, provision will be made for return of any moneys incorrectly collected).

(h) Payment for specified hospital services provided in Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals; amount of payment

(1) Payments shall also be made to any hospital operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs for inpatient hospital services furnished in a calendar year by the hospital, or under arrangements (as defined in section 1395x(w) of this title) with it, to an individual entitled to hospital benefits under section 426 of this title even though the hospital is a Federal provider of services if (A) the individual was not entitled to have the services furnished to him free of charge by the hospital, (B) the individual was admitted to the hospital in the reasonable belief on the part of the admitting authorities that the individual was a person who was entitled to have the services furnished to him free of charge, (C) the authorities of the hospital, in admitting the individual, and the individual, acted in good faith, and (D) the services were furnished during a period ending with the close of the day on which the authorities operating the hospital first became aware of the fact that the individual was not entitled to have the services furnished to him by the hospital free of charge, or (if later) ending with the first day on which it was medically feasible to remove the individual from the hospital by discharging him therefrom or transferring him to a hospital which has in effect an agreement under this subchapter.

(2) Payment for services described in paragraph (1) shall be in an amount equal to the charge imposed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for such services, or (if less) the amount that would be payable for such services under subsection (b) and section 1395ww of this title (as estimated by the Secretary). Any such payment shall be made to the entity to which payment for the services involved would have been payable, if payment for such services had been made by the individual receiving the services involved (or by another private person acting on behalf of such individual).

(i) Payment for hospice care

(1)

(A) Subject to the limitation under paragraph (2) and the provisions of section 1395e(a)(4) of this title and except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, the amount paid to a hospice program with respect to hospice care for which payment may be made under this part shall be an amount equal to the costs which are reasonable and related to the cost of providing hospice care or which are based on such other tests of reasonableness as the Secretary may prescribe in regulations (including those authorized under section 1395x(v)(1)(A) of this title), except that no payment may be made for bereavement counseling and no reimbursement may be made for other counseling services (including nutritional and dietary counseling) as separate services.

(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), for hospice care furnished on or after April 1, 1986, the daily rate of payment per day for routine home care shall be $63.17 and the daily rate of payment for other services included in hospice care shall be the daily rate of payment recognized under subparagraph (A) as of July 1, 1985, increased by $10.

(C)

(i) With respect to routine home care and other services included in hospice care furnished on or after January 1, 1990, and on or before September 30, 1990, the payment rates for such care and services shall be 120 percent of such rates in effect as of September 30, 1989.

(ii) With respect to routine home care and other services included in hospice care furnished during a subsequent fiscal year (before the first fiscal year in which the payment revisions described in paragraph (6)(D) are implemented), the payment rates for such care and services shall be the payment rates in effect under this subparagraph during the previous fiscal year increased by—(I) for a fiscal year ending on or before September 30, 1993, the market basket percentage increase (as defined in section 1395ww(b)(3)(B)(iii) of this title) for the fiscal year;(II) for fiscal year 1994, the market basket percentage increase for the fiscal year minus 2.0 percentage points;(III) for fiscal year 1995, the market basket percentage increase for the fiscal year minus 1.5 percentage points;(IV) for fiscal year 1996, the market basket percentage increase for the fiscal year minus 1.5 percentage points;(V) for fiscal year 1997, the market basket percentage increase for the fiscal year minus 0.5 percentage point;(VI) for each of fiscal years 1998 through 2002, the market basket percentage increase for the fiscal year involved minus 1.0 percentage points, plus, in the case of fiscal year 2001, 5.0 percentage points; and(VII) for a subsequent fiscal year (before the first fiscal year in which the payment revisions described in paragraph (6)(D) are implemented), subject to clauses (iv) and (vi), the market basket percentage increase for the fiscal year.

(iii) With respect to routine home care and other services included in hospice care furnished during fiscal years subsequent to the first fiscal year in which payment revisions described in paragraph (6)(D) are implemented, the payment rates for such care and services shall be the payment rates in effect under this clause during the preceding fiscal year increased by, subject to clauses (iv) and (vi), the market basket percentage increase (as defined in section 1395ww(b)(3)(B)(iii) of this title) for the fiscal year.

(iv) Subject to clause (vi), after determining the market basket percentage increase under clause (ii)(VII) or (iii), as applicable, with respect to fiscal year 2013 and each subsequent fiscal year, the Secretary shall reduce such percentage—(I) for 2013 and each subsequent fiscal year, by the productivity adjustment described in section 1395ww(b)(3)(B)(xi)(II) of this title; and(II) subject to clause (v), for each of fiscal years 2013 through 2019, by 0.3 percentage point.

The application of this clause may result in the market basket percentage increase under clause (ii)(VII) or (iii), as applicable, being less than 0.0 for a fiscal year, and may result in payment rates under this subsection for a fiscal year being less than such payment rates for the preceding fiscal year.

(v) Clause (iv)(II) shall be applied with respect to any of fiscal years 2014 through 2019 by substituting “0.0 percentage points” for “0.3 percentage point”, if for such fiscal year—(I) the excess (if any) of—(aa) the total percentage of the non-elderly insured population for the preceding fiscal year (based on the most recent estimates available from the Director of the Congressional Budget Office before a vote in either House on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that, if determined in the affirmative, would clear such Act for enrollment); over(bb) the total percentage of the non-elderly insured population for such preceding fiscal year (as estimated by the Secretary); exceeds(II) 5 percentage points.

(vi) For fiscal year 2018, the market basket percentage increase under clause (ii)(VII) or (iii), as applicable, after application of clause (iv), shall be 1 percent.

(2)

(A) The amount of payment made under this part for hospice care provided by (or under arrangements made by) a hospice program for an accounting year may not exceed the “cap amount” for the year (computed under subparagraph (B)) multiplied by the number of medicare beneficiaries in the hospice program in that year (determined under subparagraph (C)).

(B)

(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), for purposes of subparagraph (A), the “cap amount” for a year is $6,500, increased or decreased, for accounting years that end after October 1, 1984, by the same percentage as the percentage increase or decrease, respectively, in the medical care expenditure category of the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (United States city average), published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, from March 1984 to the fifth month of the accounting year.

(ii) For purposes of subparagraph (A) for accounting years that end after September 30, 2016, and before October 1, 2033, the “cap amount” is the cap amount under this subparagraph for the preceding accounting year updated by the percentage update to payment rates for hospice care under paragraph (1)(C) for services furnished during the fiscal year beginning on the October 1 preceding the beginning of the accounting year (including the application of any productivity or other adjustment under clause (iv) of that paragraph).

(iii) For accounting years that end after September 30, 2033, the cap amount shall be computed under clause (i) as if clause (ii) had never applied.

(C) For purposes of subparagraph (A), the “number of medicare beneficiaries” in a hospice program in an accounting year is equal to the number of individuals who have made an election under subsection (d) with respect to the hospice program and have been provided hospice care by (or under arrangements made by) the hospice program under this part in the accounting year, such number reduced to reflect the proportion of hospice care that each such individual was provided in a previous or subsequent accounting year or under a plan of care established by another hospice program.

(D) A hospice program shall submit claims for payment for hospice care furnished in an individual’s home under this subchapter only on the basis of the geographic location at which the service is furnished, as determined by the Secretary.

(3) Hospice programs providing hospice care for which payment is made under this subsection shall submit to the Secretary such data with respect to the costs for providing such care for each fiscal year, beginning with fiscal year 1999, as the Secretary determines necessary.

(4) The amount paid to a hospice program with respect to the services under section 1395d(a)(5) of this title for which payment may be made under this part shall be equal to an amount established for an office or other outpatient visit for evaluation and management associated with presenting problems of moderate severity and requiring medical decisionmaking of low complexity under the fee schedule established under section 1395w–4(b) of this title, other than the portion of such amount attributable to the practice expense component.

(5)Quality reporting.—

(A)Reduction in update for failure to report.—

(i)In general.—For purposes of fiscal year 2014 and each subsequent fiscal year, in the case of a hospice program that does not submit data to the Secretary in accordance with subparagraph (C) with respect to such a fiscal year, after determining the market basket percentage increase under paragraph (1)(C)(ii)(VII) or paragraph (1)(C)(iii), as applicable, and after application of clauses (iv) and (vi) of paragraph (1)(C), with respect to the fiscal year, the Secretary shall reduce such market basket percentage increase by 2 percentage points (or, for fiscal year 2024 and each subsequent fiscal year, 4 percentage points).

(ii)Special rule.—The application of this subparagraph may result in the market basket percentage increase under paragraph (1)(C)(ii)(VII) or paragraph (1)(C)(iii), as applicable, being less than 0.0 for a fiscal year, and may result in payment rates under this subsection for a fiscal year being less than such payment rates for the preceding fiscal year.

(B)Noncumulative application.—Any reduction under subparagraph (A) shall apply only with respect to the fiscal year involved and the Secretary shall not take into account such reduction in computing the payment amount under this subsection for a subsequent fiscal year.

(C)Submission of quality data.—For fiscal year 2014 and each subsequent fiscal year, each hospice program shall submit to the Secretary data on quality measures specified under subparagraph (D). Such data shall be submitted in a form and manner, and at a time, specified by the Secretary for purposes of this subparagraph.

(D)Quality measures.—

(i)In general.—Subject to clause (ii), any measure specified by the Secretary under this subparagraph must have been endorsed by the entity with a contract under section 1395aaa(a) of this title.

(ii)Exception.—In the case of a specified area or medical topic determined appropriate by the Secretary for which a feasible and practical measure has not been endorsed by the entity with a contract under section 1395aaa(a) of this title, the Secretary may specify a measure that is not so endorsed as long as due consideration is given to measures that have been endorsed or adopted by a consensus organization identified by the Secretary.

(iii)Time frame.—Not later than October 1, 2012, the Secretary shall publish the measures selected under this subparagraph that will be applicable with respect to fiscal year 2014.

(E)Public availability of data submitted.—The Secretary shall establish procedures for making data submitted under subparagraph (C) available to the public. Such procedures shall ensure that a hospice program has the opportunity to review the data that is to be made public with respect to the hospice program prior to such data being made public. The Secretary shall report quality measures that relate to hospice care provided by hospice programs on the Internet website of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

(6)

(A) The Secretary shall collect additional data and information as the Secretary determines appropriate to revise payments for hospice care under this subsection pursuant to subparagraph (D) and for other purposes as determined appropriate by the Secretary. The Secretary shall begin to collect such data by not later than January 1, 2011.

(B) The additional data and information to be collected under subparagraph (A) may include data and information on—

(i) charges and payments;

(ii) the number of days of hospice care which are attributable to individuals who are entitled to, or enrolled for, benefits under this part; and

(iii) with respect to each type of service included in hospice care—(I) the number of days of hospice care attributable to the type of service;(II) the cost of the type of service; and(III) the amount of payment for the type of service;

(iv) charitable contributions and other revenue of the hospice program;

(v) the number of hospice visits;

(vi) the type of practitioner providing the visit; and

(vii) the length of the visit and other basic information with respect to the visit.

(C) The Secretary may collect the additional data and information under subparagraph (A) on cost reports, claims, or other mechanisms as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

(D)

(i) Notwithstanding the preceding paragraphs of this subsection, not earlier than October 1, 2013, the Secretary shall, by regulation, implement revisions to the methodology for determining the payment rates for routine home care and other services included in hospice care under this part, as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. Such revisions may be based on an analysis of data and information collected under subparagraph (A). Such revisions may include adjustments to per diem payments that reflect changes in resource intensity in providing such care and services during the course of the entire episode of hospice care.

(ii) Revisions in payment implemented pursuant to clause (i) shall result in the same estimated amount of aggregate expenditures under this subchapter for hospice care furnished in the fiscal year in which such revisions in payment are implemented as would have been made under this subchapter for such care in such fiscal year if such revisions had not been implemented.

(E) The Secretary shall consult with hospice programs and the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission regarding the additional data and information to be collected under subparagraph (A) and the payment revisions under subparagraph (D).

(7) In the case of hospice care provided by a hospice program under arrangements under section 1395x(dd)(5)(D) of this title made by another hospice program, the hospice program that made the arrangements shall bill and be paid for the hospice care.

(j) Elimination of lesser-of-cost-or-charges provision

(1) The lesser-of-cost-or-charges provisions (described in paragraph (2)) will not apply in the case of services provided by a class of provider of services if the Secretary determines and certifies to Congress that the failure of such provisions to apply to the services provided by that class of providers will not result in any increase in the amount of payments made for those services under this subchapter. Such change will take effect with respect to services furnished, or cost reporting periods of providers, on or after such date as the Secretary shall provide in the certification. Such change for a class of provider shall be discontinued if the Secretary determines and notifies Congress that such change has resulted in an increase in the amount of payments made under this subchapter for services provided by that class of provider.

(2) The lesser-of-cost-or-charges provisions referred to in paragraph (1) are as follows:

(A) Clause (B) of paragraph (1) and paragraph (2) of subsection (b).

(B)Section 1395m(a)(1)(B) of this title.

(C) So much of subparagraph (A) of section 1395l(a)(2) of this title as provides for payment other than of the reasonable cost of such services, as determined under section 1395x(v) of this title.

(D) Subclause (II) of clause (i) and clause (ii) of section 1395l(a)(2)(B) of this title.

(k) Payments to home health agencies for durable medical equipment

(l) Payment for inpatient critical access hospital services

(1) Except as provided in the subsequent paragraphs of this subsection, the amount of payment under this part for inpatient critical access hospital services is equal to 101 percent of the reasonable costs of the critical access hospital in providing such services.

(2) In the case of a distinct part psychiatric or rehabilitation unit of a critical access hospital described in section 1395i–4(c)(2)(E) of this title, the amount of payment for inpatient critical access hospital services of such unit shall be equal to the amount of the payment that would otherwise be made if such services were inpatient hospital services of a distinct part psychiatric or rehabilitation unit, respectively, described in the matter following clause (v) 3

3 See References in Text note below.

of section 1395ww(d)(1)(B) of this title.

(3)

(A) The following rules shall apply in determining payment and reasonable costs under paragraph (1) for costs described in subparagraph (C) for a critical access hospital that would be a meaningful EHR user (as would be determined under paragraph (3) of section 1395ww(n) of this title) for an EHR reporting period for a cost reporting period beginning during a payment year if such critical access hospital was treated as an eligible hospital under such section:

(i) The Secretary shall compute reasonable costs by expensing such costs in a single payment year and not depreciating such costs over a period of years (and shall include as costs with respect to cost reporting periods beginning during a payment year costs from previous cost reporting periods to the extent they have not been fully depreciated as of the period involved).

(ii) There shall be substituted for the Medicare share that would otherwise be applied under paragraph (1) a percent (not to exceed 100 percent) equal to the sum of—(I) the Medicare share (as would be specified under paragraph (2)(D) of section 1395ww(n) of this title) for such critical access hospital if such critical access hospital was treated as an eligible hospital under such section; and(II) 20 percentage points.

(B) The payment under this paragraph with respect to a critical access hospital shall be paid through a prompt interim payment (subject to reconciliation) after submission and review of such information (as specified by the Secretary) necessary to make such payment, including information necessary to apply this paragraph. In no case may payment under this paragraph be made with respect to a cost reporting period beginning during a payment year after 2015 and in no case may a critical access hospital receive payment under this paragraph with respect to more than 4 consecutive payment years.

(C) The costs described in this subparagraph are costs for the purchase of certified EHR technology to which purchase depreciation (excluding interest) would apply if payment was made under paragraph (1) and not under this paragraph.

(D) For purposes of this paragraph, paragraph (4), and paragraph (5), the terms “certified EHR technology”, “eligible hospital”, “EHR reporting period”, and “payment year” have the meanings given such terms in sections 1395ww(n) of this title.

(4)

(A) Subject to subparagraph (C), for cost reporting periods beginning in fiscal year 2015 or a subsequent fiscal year, in the case of a critical access hospital that is not a meaningful EHR user (as would be determined under paragraph (3) of section 1395ww(n) of this title if such critical access hospital was treated as an eligible hospital under such section) for an EHR reporting period with respect to such fiscal year, paragraph (1) shall be applied by substituting the applicable percent under subparagraph (B) for the percent described in such paragraph (1).

(B) The percent described in this subparagraph is—

(i) for fiscal year 2015, 100.66 percent;

(ii) for fiscal year 2016, 100.33 percent; and

(iii) for fiscal year 2017 and each subsequent fiscal year, 100 percent.

(C) The provisions of subclause (II) of section 1395ww(b)(3)(B)(ix) of this title shall apply with respect to subparagraph (A) for a critical access hospital with respect to a cost reporting period beginning in a fiscal year in the same manner as such subclause applies with respect to subclause (I) of such section for a subsection (d) hospital with respect to such fiscal year.

(5) There shall be no administrative or judicial review under section 1395ff of this title, section 1395oo of this title, or otherwise, of—

(A) the methodology and standards for determining the amount of payment and reasonable cost under paragraph (3) and payment adjustments under paragraph (4), including selection of periods under section 1395ww(n)(2) of this title for determining, and making estimates or using proxies of, inpatient-bed-days, hospital charges, charity charges, and Medicare share under subparagraph (D) of section 1395ww(n)(2) of this title;

(B) the methodology and standards for determining a meaningful EHR user under as would apply if the hospital was treated as an eligible hospital under

4 So in original. Probably should be “1395ww(n)(3)(B)”.

of this title as applied under paragraphs (3) and (4); and

(D) the identification of costs for purposes of paragraph (3)(C).

(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1814, as added Pub. L. 89–87, title I, § 102(a), July 30, 1965, 79 Stat. 294; amended Pub. L. 90–248, title I, §§ 126(a), 129(c)(5), (6)(A), 143(c), Jan. 2, 1968, 81 Stat. 846, 848, 857; Pub. L. 92–603, title II, §§ 211(a), 226(c)(1), 227(b), 228(a), 233(a), 234(g)(1), 238(a), 247(a), 256(a), 278(a)(1)–(3), (b)(4), (17), 281(e), Oct. 30, 1972, 86 Stat. 1382, 1404, 1405, 1407, 1411, 1413, 1416, 1425, 1447, 1453, 1454, 1456; Pub. L. 93–233, § 18(k)(1), (2), Dec. 31, 1973, 87 Stat. 970; Pub. L. 94–437, title IV, § 401(a), Sept. 30, 1976, 90 Stat. 1408; Pub. L. 95–142, § 23(a), (b), Oct. 25, 1977, 91 Stat. 1208; Pub. L. 95–292, § 4(f), June 13, 1978, 92 Stat. 315; Pub. L. 96–499, title IX, §§ 903(a), 930(e), (f), 931(b), 936(b), 941(a), (b), Dec. 5, 1980, 94 Stat. 2614, 2631, 2633, 2640, 2641; Pub. L. 97–35, title XXI, §§ 2121(b), 2122(a)(1), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 796; Pub. L. 97–248, title I, §§ 101(c)(1), 122(c)(1), (2), Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 335, 357, 358; Pub. L. 97–448, title III, § 309(b)(7), Jan. 12, 1983, 96 Stat. 2409; Pub. L. 98–21, title VI, §§ 601(d), 602(b), (c), Apr. 20, 1983, 97 Stat. 152, 163; Pub. L. 98–90, Aug. 29, 1983, 97 Stat. 606; Pub. L. 98–369, div. B, title III, §§ 2308(b)(2)(A), 2321(a), (f), 2335(a), 2336(a), (b), 2354(b)(1), (c)(1)(A), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1074, 1084, 1085, 1090, 1091, 1100, 1102; Pub. L. 98–617, §§ 1(a), 3(a)(3), (b)(1), Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat. 3294, 3295; Pub. L. 99–272, title IX, § 9123(b), Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 168; Pub. L. 100–203, title IV, §§ 4008(b)(1), 4024(a), 4062(d)(1), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–55, 1330–73, 1330–108; Pub. L. 100–360, title I, § 104(d)(2), July 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 688; Pub. L. 101–234, title I, § 101(a), Dec. 13, 1989, 103 Stat. 1979; Pub. L. 101–239, title VI, §§ 6003(g)(3)(B)(ii), (iii), 6005(a), (b), 6028, Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2152, 2160, 2161, 2168; Pub. L. 101–508, title IV, §§ 4006(b), 4008(i)(3), (m)(3)(A), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–43, 1388–51, 1388–53; Pub. L. 102–54, § 13(q)(3)(A)(iii), (iv), (B)(iv), June 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 279; Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, § 13504, Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 579; Pub. L. 103–432, title I, §§ 102(a)(3), (d), 106(b)(1)(A), 110(d)(1), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4402, 4403, 4405, 4408; Pub. L. 105–33, title IV, §§ 4201(c)(1), (3), 4441, 4442(a), 4443(b)(2), 4448, 4603(c)(1), 4615(a), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 373, 422–424, 470, 475; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(6) [title III, §§ 321(a), (e), 322(a)(1), title V, § 507(a)(1)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–500, 2763A–501, 2763A–532; Pub. L. 108–173, title IV, §§ 405(a)(1), (g)(2), 408(b), title V, § 512(b), title VII, § 736(a)(1), (2), (c)(2)(A), title IX, § 946(b), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2266, 2269, 2270, 2299, 2354, 2356, 2425; Pub. L. 111–5, div. B, title IV, § 4102(a)(2), (b)(2), (d)(1), Feb. 17, 2009, 123 Stat. 481, 483, 486; Pub. L. 111–148, title III, §§ 3004(c), 3108(a), 3132, 3401(g), title VI, §§ 6404(a)(1), 6405(b)(1), 6407(a)(1), title X, §§ 10319(f), 10604, 10605(a), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 370, 418, 430, 484, 767–769, 949, 1006; Pub. L. 113–185, § 3(c), (d), Oct. 6, 2014, 128 Stat. 1969; Pub. L. 114–10, title IV, § 411(d), Apr. 16, 2015, 129 Stat. 161; Pub. L. 115–123, div. E, title X, §§ 51002(a), 51006(a)(2), Feb. 9, 2018, 132 Stat. 292, 296; Pub. L. 116–136, div. A, title III, §§ 3706, 3708(a), Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 418; Pub. L. 116–260, div. CC, title IV, §§ 404, 407(b), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 3002, 3008; Pub. L. 117–103, div. P, title II, §§ 306, 312, Mar. 15, 2022, 136 Stat. 807, 808; Pub. L. 117–328, div. FF, title IV, §§ 4113(f), 4162, Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5899, 5931; Pub. L. 118–42, div. G, title I, § 308, Mar. 9, 2024, 138 Stat. 417.)

§ 1395g. Payments to providers of services

(a) Determination of amount

(b) Conditions

(d) Accrual of interest on balance of excess or deficit not paid

(e) Periodic interim payments

(1) The Secretary shall provide payment under this part for inpatient hospital services furnished by a subsection (d) hospital (as defined in section 1395ww(d)(1)(B) of this title, and including a distinct psychiatric or rehabilitation unit of such a hospital) and a subsection (d) Puerto Rico hospital (as defined in section 1395ww(d)(9)(A) of this title) on a periodic interim payment basis (rather than on the basis of bills actually submitted) in the following cases:

(A) Upon the request of a hospital which is paid through an agency or organization with an agreement with the Secretary under section 1395h of this title, if the agency or organization, for three consecutive calendar months, fails to meet the requirements of subsection (c)(2) of such section and if the hospital meets the requirements (in effect as of October 1, 1986) applicable to payment on such a basis, until such time as the agency or organization meets such requirements for three consecutive calendar months.

(B) In the case of a hospital that—

(i) has a disproportionate share adjustment percentage (as established in clause (iv) of such section) of at least 5.1 percent (as computed for purposes of establishing the average standardized amounts for discharges occurring during fiscal year 1987), and

(ii) requests payment on such basis,

but only if the hospital was being paid for inpatient hospital services on such a periodic interim payment basis as of June 30, 1987, and continues to meet the requirements (in effect as of October 1, 1986) applicable to payment on such a basis.

(i) is located in a rural area,

(ii) has 100 or fewer beds, and

(iii) requests payment on such basis,

(2) The Secretary shall provide (or continue to provide) for payment on a periodic interim payment basis (under the standards established under section 405.454(j) of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on October 1, 1986, in the cases described in subparagraphs (A) through (D)) with respect to—

(A) inpatient hospital services of a hospital that is not a subsection (d) hospital (as defined in section 1395ww(d)(1)(B) of this title);

(B) a hospital which is receiving payment under a State hospital reimbursement system under section 1395f(b)(3) or 1395ww(c) of this title, if payment on a periodic interim payment basis is an integral part of such reimbursement system;

(D) hospice care; and

(E) inpatient critical access hospital services;

if the provider of such services elects to receive, and qualifies for, such payments.

(3) Subject to subsection (f), in the case of a subsection (d) hospital or a subsection (d) Puerto Rico hospital (as defined for purposes of section 1395ww of this title) which has significant cash flow problems resulting from operations of its intermediary or from unusual circumstances of the hospital’s operation, the Secretary may make available appropriate accelerated payments.

(4) A hospital created by the merger or consolidation of 2 or more hospitals or hospital campuses shall be eligible to receive periodic interim payment on the basis described in paragraph (1)(B) if—

(A) at least one of the hospitals or campuses received periodic interim payment on such basis prior to the merger or consolidation; and

(B) the merging or consolidating hospitals or campuses would each meet the requirement of paragraph (1)(B)(i) if such hospitals or campuses were treated as independent hospitals for purposes of this subchapter.

(f) Expansion of accelerated payment program during COVID–19 public health emergency

(1) During the emergency period described in section 1320b–5(g)(1)(B) of this title, the Secretary shall expand the program under subsection (e)(3) pursuant to paragraph (2).

(2) In expanding the program under subsection (e)(3), the following shall apply:

(A)

(i) In addition to the hospitals described in subsection (e)(3), the following hospitals shall be eligible to participate in the program:(I) Hospitals described in clause (iii) of section 1395ww(d)(1)(B) of this title.(II) Hospitals described in clause (v) of such section.(III) Critical access hospitals (as defined in section 1395x(mm)(1) of this title).

(ii) Subject to appropriate safeguards against fraud, waste, and abuse, upon a request of a hospital described in clause (i), the Secretary shall (or, with respect to requests submitted to the Secretary after April 26, 2020, may) provide accelerated payments under the program to such hospital.

(B) Upon the request of the hospital, the Secretary may do any of the following:

(i) Make accelerated payments on a periodic or lump sum basis.

(ii) Increase the amount of payment that would otherwise be made to hospitals under the program up to 100 percent (or, in the case of critical access hospitals, up to 125 percent).

(iii) Extend the period that accelerated payments cover so that it covers up to a 6-month period.

(C) In the case of a payment made under the terms of the program under subsection (e)(3), including such program as expanded pursuant to this subsection, on or after March 27, 2020, and so made during the emergency period described in section 1320b–5(g)(1)(B) of this title, upon request of a hospital, the Secretary shall—

(i) provide 1 year before payments for items and services furnished by the hospital are offset to recoup payments under such program;

(ii) provide that any such offset be an amount equal to—(I) during the first 11 months in which any such offsets are made with respect to payment for items and services furnished by the hospital, 25 percent of the amount of such payment for such items and services; and(II) during the succeeding 6 months, 50 percent of the amount of such payment for such items and services; and

(iii) allow 29 months from the date of the first payment under such program to such provider before requiring that the outstanding balance be paid in full.

(3) Nothing in this subsection shall preclude the Secretary from carrying out the provisions described in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of paragraph (2)(B) and clauses (i) and (ii) of paragraph (2)(C) under the program under subsection (e)(3) after the period for which this subsection applies.

(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may implement the provisions of this subsection by program instruction or otherwise.

(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1815, as added Pub. L. 89–97, title I, § 102(a), July 30, 1965, 79 Stat. 297; amended Pub. L. 94–182, title I, § 112(a)(2), Dec. 31, 1975, 89 Stat. 1055; Pub. L. 95–142, § 2(a)(2), Oct. 25, 1977, 91 Stat. 1175; Pub. L. 96–473, § 6(i), Oct. 19, 1980, 94 Stat. 2266; Pub. L. 97–248, title I, §§ 117(a)(1), 148(b), Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 354, 394; Pub. L. 99–509, title IX, § 9311(a)(1), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1996; Pub. L. 101–239, title VI, § 6021(a), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2166; Pub. L. 105–33, title IV, § 4603(b), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 470; Pub. L. 108–173, title IV, § 405(c)(1), title VII, § 736(a)(3), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2266, 2354; Pub. L. 108–271, § 8(b), July 7, 2004, 118 Stat. 814; Pub. L. 112–40, title II, § 261(a)(3)(B), Oct. 21, 2011, 125 Stat. 423; Pub. L. 116–136, div. A, title III, § 3719, Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 426; Pub. L. 116–159, div. C, title V, § 2501(a)(1)(A), (B), (b)(1)(A), Oct. 1, 2020, 134 Stat. 733–735.)

§ 1395h. Provisions relating to the administration of part A

(a) In general

(b) Repealed. Pub. L. 108–173, title IX, § 911(b)(3), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2383

(1) Repealed. Pub. L. 108–173, title IX, § 911(b)(4)(A), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2383.

(2)

(A) Each contract under section 1395kk–1 of this title that provides for making payments under this part shall provide that payment shall be issued, mailed, or otherwise transmitted with respect to not less than 95 percent of all claims submitted under this subchapter—

(i) which are clean claims, and

(ii) for which payment is not made on a periodic interim payment basis,

within the applicable number of calendar days after the date on which the claim is received.

(B) In this paragraph:

(i) The term “clean claim” means a claim that has no defect or impropriety (including any lack of any required substantiating documentation) or particular circumstance requiring special treatment that prevents timely payment from being made on the claim under this subchapter.

(ii) The term “applicable number of calendar days” means—(I) with respect to claims received in the 12-month period beginning October 1, 1986, 30 calendar days,(II) with respect to claims received in the 12-month period beginning October 1, 1987, 26 calendar days,(III) with respect to claims received in the 12-month period beginning October 1, 1988, 25 calendar days,(IV) with respect to claims received in the 12-month period beginning October 1, 1989, and claims received in any succeeding 12-month period ending on or before September 30, 1993, 24 calendar days, and(V) with respect to claims received in the 12-month period beginning October 1, 1993, and claims received in any succeeding 12-month period, 30 calendar days.

(C) If payment is not issued, mailed, or otherwise transmitted within the applicable number of calendar days (as defined in clause (ii) of subparagraph (B)) after a clean claim (as defined in clause (i) of such subparagraph) is received from a hospital, critical access hospital, skilled nursing facility, home health agency, hospice program, comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility, or rehabilitation agency that is not receiving payments on a periodic interim payment basis with respect to such services, interest shall be paid at the rate used for purposes of section 3902(a) of title 31 (relating to interest penalties for failure to make prompt payments) for the period beginning on the day after the required payment date and ending on the date on which payment is made.

(3)

(A) Each contract under section 1395kk–1 of this title that provides for making payments under this part shall provide that no payment shall be issued, mailed, or otherwise transmitted with respect to any claim submitted under this subchapter within the applicable number of calendar days after the date on which the claim is received.

(B) In this paragraph, the term “applicable number of calendar days” means—

(i) with respect to claims submitted electronically as prescribed by the Secretary, 13 days, and

(ii) with respect to claims submitted otherwise, 28 days.

(d) to (i). Repealed. Pub. L. 108–173, title IX, § 911(b)(5), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2383

(j) Denial of claim; notification and reconsiderationA contract with a medicare administrative contractor under section 1395kk–1 of this title with respect to the administration of this part shall require that, with respect to a claim for home health services, extended care services, or post-hospital extended care services submitted by a provider to such medicare administrative contractor that is denied, such medicare administrative contractor—

(1) furnish the provider and the individual with respect to whom the claim is made with a written explanation of the denial and of the statutory or regulatory basis for the denial; and

(2) in the case of a request for reconsideration of a denial, promptly notify such individual and the provider of the disposition of such reconsideration.

(k) Annual reporting requirement on erroneous payment recovery

(l) Repealed. Pub. L. 108–173, title IX, § 911(b)(7), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2383

(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1816, as added Pub. L. 89–97, title I, § 102(a), July 30, 1965, 79 Stat. 297; amended Pub. L. 92–603, title II, § 243(b), Oct. 30, 1972, 86 Stat. 1422; Pub. L. 95–142, § 14(a), Oct. 25, 1977, 91 Stat. 1198; Pub. L. 96–499, title IX, § 930(o), Dec. 5, 1980, 94 Stat. 2632; Pub. L. 97–248, title I, § 122(c)(3), Sept. 3, 1982, 96 Stat. 359; Pub. L. 98–369, div. B, title III, § 2326(b), (c)(1), (d)(1), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1087; Pub. L. 99–509, title IX, §§ 9311(b), 9352(a)(2), Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1997, 2044; Pub. L. 100–203, title IV, §§ 4031(a)(1), 4032(a), (b), 4035(a)(1), 4085(d)(1), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–75 to 1330–78, 1330–130; Pub. L. 100–360, title II, § 203(f), title IV, § 411(e)(1)(B), July 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 725, 775; Pub. L. 101–234, title II, § 201(a), Dec. 13, 1989, 103 Stat. 1981; Pub. L. 101–239, title VI, §§ 6003(g)(3)(D)(vi), 6202(d)(1), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2153, 2234; Pub. L. 101–508, title IV, § 4005(c)(1)(A), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–41; Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, § 13568(a), (b), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 608;

§ 1395i. Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund

(a) Creation; deposits; transfers from TreasuryThere is hereby created on the books of the Treasury of the United States a trust fund to be known as the “Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund” (hereinafter in this section referred to as the “Trust Fund”). The Trust Fund shall consist of such gifts and bequests as may be made as provided in section 401(i)(1) of this title, and such amounts as may be deposited in, or appropriated to, such fund as provided in this part. There are hereby appropriated to the Trust Fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1966, and for each fiscal year thereafter, out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, amounts equivalent to 100 per centum of—

(1) the taxes imposed by sections 3101(b) and 3111(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with respect to wages reported to the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate pursuant to subtitle F of such Code after December 31, 1965, as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury by applying the applicable rates of tax under such sections to such wages, which wages shall be certified by the Commissioner of Social Security on the basis of records of wages established and maintained by the Commissioner of Social Security in accordance with such reports; and

(2) the taxes imposed by section 1401(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with respect to self-employment income reported to the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate on tax returns under subtitle F of such Code, as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury by applying the applicable rate of tax under such section to such self-employment income, which self-employment income shall be certified by the Commissioner of Social Security on the basis of records of self-employment established and maintained by the Commissioner of Social Security in accordance with such returns.

The amounts appropriated by the preceding sentence shall be transferred from time to time from the general fund in the Treasury to the Trust Fund, such amounts to be determined on the basis of estimates by the Secretary of the Treasury of the taxes, specified in the preceding sentence, paid to or deposited into the Treasury; and proper adjustments shall be made in amounts subsequently transferred to the extent prior estimates were in excess of or were less than the taxes specified in such sentence.

(b) Board of Trustees; composition; meetings; dutiesWith respect to the Trust Fund, there is hereby created a body to be known as the Board of Trustees of the Trust Fund (hereinafter in this section referred to as the “Board of Trustees”) composed of the Commissioner of Social Security, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, all ex officio, and of two members of the public (both of whom may not be from the same political party), who shall be nominated by the President for a term of four years and subject to confirmation by the Senate. A member of the Board of Trustees serving as a member of the public and nominated and confirmed to fill a vacancy occurring during a term shall be nominated and confirmed only for the remainder of such term. An individual nominated and confirmed as a member of the public may serve in such position after the expiration of such member’s term until the earlier of the time at which the member’s successor takes office or the time at which a report of the Board is first issued under paragraph (2) after the expiration of the member’s term. The Secretary of the Treasury shall be the Managing Trustee of the Board of Trustees (hereinafter in this section referred to as the “Managing Trustee”). The Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services shall serve as the Secretary of the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees shall meet not less frequently than once each calendar year. It shall be the duty of the Board of Trustees to—

(1) Hold the Trust Fund;

(2) Report to the Congress not later than the first day of April of each year on the operation and status of the Trust Fund during the preceding fiscal year and on its expected operation and status during the current fiscal year and the next 2 fiscal years; Each report provided under paragraph (2) beginning with the report in 2005 shall include the information specified in section 801(a) of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003.1

1 So in original. See 2003 Amendment note below.

(3) Report immediately to the Congress whenever the Board is of the opinion that the amount of the Trust Fund is unduly small; and

(4) Review the general policies followed in managing the Trust Fund, and recommend changes in such policies, including necessary changes in the provisions of law which govern the way in which the Trust Fund is to be managed.

The report provided for in paragraph (2) shall include a statement of the assets of, and the disbursements made from, the Trust Fund during the preceding fiscal year, an estimate of the expected income to, and disbursements to be made from, the Trust Fund during the current fiscal year and each of the next 2 fiscal years, and a statement of the actuarial status of the Trust Fund. Such report shall also include an actuarial opinion by the Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services certifying that the techniques and methodologies used are generally accepted within the actuarial profession and that the assumptions and cost estimates used are reasonable. Such report shall be printed as a House document of the session of the Congress to which the report is made. A person serving on the Board of Trustees shall not be considered to be a fiduciary and shall not be personally liable for actions taken in such capacity with respect to the Trust Fund.

(d) Authority of Managing Trustee to sell obligations

(e) Interest on and proceeds from sale or redemption of obligations

(f) Payment of estimated taxes

(1) The Managing Trustee is directed to pay from time to time from the Trust Fund into the Treasury the amount estimated by him as taxes imposed under section 3101(b) which are subject to refund under section 6413(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 with respect to wages paid after December 31, 1965. Such taxes shall be determined on the basis of the records of wages established and maintained by the Commissioner of Social Security in accordance with the wages reported to the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate pursuant to subtitle F of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and the Commissioner of Social Security shall furnish the Managing Trustee such information as may be required by the Managing Trustee for such purpose. The payments by the Managing Trustee shall be covered into the Treasury as repayments to the account for refunding internal revenue collections.

(2) Repayments made under paragraph (1) shall not be available for expenditures but shall be carried to the surplus fund of the Treasury. If it subsequently appears that the estimates under such paragraph in any particular period were too high or too low, appropriate adjustments shall be made by the Managing Trustee in future payments.

(g) Transfers from other Funds

(h) Payments from Trust Fund amounts certified by Secretary

(i) Payment of travel expenses for travel within United States; reconsideration interviews and proceedings before administrative law judges

(j) Loans from other Funds; interest; repayment; report to Congress

(1) If at any time prior to January 1988 the Managing Trustee determines that borrowing authorized under this subsection is appropriate in order to best meet the need for financing the benefit payments from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, the Managing Trustee may, subject to paragraph (5), borrow such amounts as he determines to be appropriate from either the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund or the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund for transfer to and deposit in the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund.

(2) In any case where a loan has been made to the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund under paragraph (1), there shall be transferred on the last day of each month after such loan is made, from such Trust Fund to the lending Trust Fund, the total interest accrued to such day with respect to the unrepaid balance of such loan at a rate equal to the rate which the lending Trust Fund would earn on the amount involved if the loan were an investment under subsection (c) (even if such an investment would earn interest at a rate different than the rate earned by investments redeemed by the lending fund in order to make the loan).

(3)

(A) If in any month after a loan has been made to the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund under paragraph (1), the Managing Trustee determines that the assets of such Trust Fund are sufficient to permit repayment of all or part of any loans made to such Fund under paragraph (1), he shall make such repayments as he determines to be appropriate.

(B)

(i) If on the last day of any year after a loan has been made under paragraph (1) by the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund or the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund to the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, the Managing Trustee determines that the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund ratio exceeds 15 percent, he shall transfer from such Trust Fund to the lending trust fund an amount that—(I) together with any amounts transferred to another lending trust fund under this paragraph for such year, will reduce the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund ratio to 15 percent; and(II) does not exceed the outstanding balance of such loan.

(ii) Amounts required to be transferred under clause (i) shall be transferred on the last day of the first month of the year succeeding the year in which the determination described in clause (i) is made.

(iii) For purposes of this subparagraph, the term “Hospital Insurance Trust Fund ratio” means, with respect to any calendar year, the ratio of—(I) the balance in the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, as of the last day of such calendar year; to(II) the amount estimated by the Secretary to be the total amount to be paid from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund during the calendar year following such calendar year (other than payments of interest on, and repayments of, loans from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund under paragraph (1)), and reducing the amount of any transfer to the Railroad Retirement Account by the amount of any transfers into such Trust Fund from the Railroad Retirement Account.

(C)

(i) The full amount of all loans made under paragraph (1) (whether made before or after January 1, 1983) shall be repaid at the earliest feasible date and in any event no later than .

(ii) For the period after December 31, 1987 and before January 1, 1990, the Managing Trustee shall transfer each month from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund to any Trust Fund that is owed any amount by the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund on a loan made under paragraph (1), an amount not less than an amount equal to (I) the amount owed to such Trust Fund by the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund at the beginning of such month (plus the interest accrued on the outstanding balance of such loan during such month), divided by (II) the number of months elapsing after the preceding month and before January 1990. The Managing Trustee may, during this period, transfer larger amounts than prescribed by the preceding sentence.

(4) The Board of Trustees shall make a timely report to the Congress of any amounts transferred (including interest payments) under this subsection.

(5)

(A) No amounts may be loaned by the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund or the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund under paragraph (1) during any month if the OASDI trust fund ratio for such month is less than 10 percent.

(B) For purposes of this paragraph, the term “OASDI trust fund ratio” means, with respect to any month, the ratio of—

(i) the combined balance in the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, reduced by the outstanding amount of any loan (including interest thereon) theretofore made to either such Trust Fund from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund under section 401(l) of this title, as of the last day of the second month preceding such month, to

(ii) the amount obtained by multiplying by twelve the total amount which (as estimated by the Secretary) will be paid from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund during the month for which such ratio is to be determined for all purposes authorized by section 401 of this title (other than payments of interest on, or repayments of, loans from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund under section 401(l) of this title), but excluding any transfer payments between such trust funds and reducing the amount of any transfers to the Railroad Retirement Account by the amount of any transfers into either such trust fund from that Account.

(k) Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Account

(1) Establishment

(2) Appropriated amounts to Trust Fund

(A) In generalThere are hereby appropriated to the Trust Fund—

(i) such gifts and bequests as may be made as provided in subparagraph (B);

(ii) such amounts as may be deposited in the Trust Fund as provided in sections 242(b) and 249(c) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, and subchapter XI; and

(iii) such amounts as are transferred to the Trust Fund under subparagraph (C).

(B) Authorization to accept gifts

(C) Transfer of amountsThe Managing Trustee shall transfer to the Trust Fund, under rules similar to the rules in section 9601 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, an amount equal to the sum of the following:

(i) Criminal fines recovered in cases involving a Federal health care offense (as defined in section 24(a) of title 18).

(ii) Civil monetary penalties and assessments imposed in health care cases, including amounts recovered under this subchapter and subchapters XI and XIX, and chapter 38 of title 31 (except as otherwise provided by law).

(iii) Amounts resulting from the forfeiture of property by reason of a Federal health care offense.

(iv) Penalties and damages obtained and otherwise creditable to miscellaneous receipts of the general fund of the Treasury obtained under sections 3729 through 3733 of title 31 (known as the False Claims Act), in cases involving claims related to the provision of health care items and services (other than funds awarded to a relator, for restitution or otherwise authorized by law).

(D) Application

(3) Appropriated amounts to Account for fraud and abuse control program, etc.

(A) Departments of Health and Human Services and Justice

(i) In generalThere are hereby appropriated to the Account from the Trust Fund such sums as the Secretary and the Attorney General certify are necessary to carry out the purposes described in subparagraph (C), to be available without further appropriation until expended, in an amount not to exceed—(I) for fiscal year 1997, $104,000,000;(II) for each of the fiscal years 1998 through 2003, the limit for the preceding fiscal year, increased by 15 percent;(III) for each of fiscal years 2004, 2005, and 2006, the limit for fiscal year 2003; and(IV) for each fiscal year after fiscal year 2006, the limit under this clause for the preceding fiscal year, increased by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (all items; United States city average) over the previous year.

(ii) Medicare and medicaid activitiesFor each fiscal year, of the amount appropriated in clause (i), the following amounts shall be available only for the purposes of the activities of the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services with respect to the programs under this subchapter and subchapter XIX—(I) for fiscal year 1997, not less than $60,000,000 and not more than $70,000,000;(II) for fiscal year 1998, not less than $80,000,000 and not more than $90,000,000;(III) for fiscal year 1999, not less than $90,000,000 and not more than $100,000,000;(IV) for fiscal year 2000, not less than $110,000,000 and not more than $120,000,000;(V) for fiscal year 2001, not less than $120,000,000 and not more than $130,000,000;(VI) for fiscal year 2002, not less than $140,000,000 and not more than $150,000,000;(VII) for each of fiscal years 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006, not less than $150,000,000 and not more than $160,000,000;(VIII) for fiscal year 2007, not less than $160,000,000, increased by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (all items; United States city average) over the previous year; and(IX) for each fiscal year after fiscal year 2007, not less than the amount required under this clause for the preceding fiscal year, increased by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (all items; United States city average) over the previous year.

(B) Federal Bureau of InvestigationThere are hereby appropriated from the general fund of the United States Treasury and hereby appropriated to the Account for transfer to the Federal Bureau of Investigation to carry out the purposes described in subparagraph (C), to be available without further appropriation until expended—

(i) for fiscal year 1997, $47,000,000;

(ii) for fiscal year 1998, $56,000,000;

(iii) for fiscal year 1999, $66,000,000;

(iv) for fiscal year 2000, $76,000,000;

(v) for fiscal year 2001, $88,000,000;

(vi) for fiscal year 2002, $101,000,000;

(vii) for each of fiscal years 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006, $114,000,000; and

(viii) for each fiscal year after fiscal year 2006, the amount to be appropriated under this subparagraph for the preceding fiscal year, increased by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (all items; United States city average) over the previous year.

(C) Use of fundsThe purposes described in this subparagraph are to cover the costs (including equipment, salaries and benefits, and travel and training) of the administration and operation of the health care fraud and abuse control program established under section 1320a–7c(a) of this title, including the costs of—

(i) prosecuting health care matters (through criminal, civil, and administrative proceedings);

(ii) investigations;

(iii) financial and performance audits of health care programs and operations;

(iv) inspections and other evaluations; and

(v) provider and consumer education regarding compliance with the provisions of subchapter XI.

(4) Appropriated amounts to Account for Medicare Integrity Program

(A) In general

(B) Amounts specifiedSubject to subparagraph (C), the amount appropriated under subparagraph (A) for a fiscal year is as follows:

(i) For fiscal year 1997, such amount shall be not less than $430,000,000 and not more than $440,000,000.

(ii) For fiscal year 1998, such amount shall be not less than $490,000,000 and not more than $500,000,000.

(iii) For fiscal year 1999, such amount shall be not less than $550,000,000 and not more than $560,000,000.

(iv) For fiscal year 2000, such amount shall be not less than $620,000,000 and not more than $630,000,000.

(v) For fiscal year 2001, such amount shall be not less than $670,000,000 and not more than $680,000,000.

(vi) For fiscal year 2002, such amount shall be not less than $690,000,000 and not more than $700,000,000.

(vii) For each fiscal year after fiscal year 2002, such amount shall be not less than $710,000,000 and not more than $720,000,000.

(i) For fiscal year 2006, $100,000,000.

(ii) For each fiscal year after 2010, by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (all items; United States city average) over the previous year.

(D) Expansion of the Medicare-Medicaid Data Match ProgramThe amount appropriated under subparagraph (A) for a fiscal year is further increased as follows for purposes of carrying out section 1395ddd(b)(6) of this title for the respective fiscal year:

(i) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2006.

(ii) $24,000,000 for fiscal year 2007.

(iii) $36,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.

(iv) $48,000,000 for fiscal year 2009.

(v) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2010 and each fiscal year thereafter.

(5) Annual reportNot later than January 1, the Secretary and the Attorney General shall submit jointly a report to Congress which identifies—

(A) the amounts appropriated to the Trust Fund for the previous fiscal year under paragraph (2)(A) and the source of such amounts; and

(B) the amounts appropriated from the Trust Fund for such year under paragraph (3) and the justification for the expenditure of such amounts.

(6) GAO reportNot later than June 1, 1998, and January 1 of 2000, 2002, and 2004, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a report to Congress which—

(A) identifies—

(i) the amounts appropriated to the Trust Fund for the previous two fiscal years under paragraph (2)(A) and the source of such amounts; and

(ii) the amounts appropriated from the Trust Fund for such fiscal years under paragraph (3) and the justification for the expenditure of such amounts;

(B) identifies any expenditures from the Trust Fund with respect to activities not involving the program under this subchapter;

(C) identifies any savings to the Trust Fund, and any other savings, resulting from expenditures from the Trust Fund; and

(D) analyzes such other aspects of the operation of the Trust Fund as the Comptroller General of the United States considers appropriate.

(7) Additional funding

(8) Additional funding

(A) In generalIn addition to the funds otherwise appropriated to the Account from the Trust Fund under paragraphs (3)(C) and (4)(A) and for purposes described in paragraphs (3)(C) and (4)(A), there are hereby appropriated to such Account from such Trust Fund the following additional amounts:

(i) For fiscal year 2011, $95,000,000.

(ii) For fiscal year 2012, $55,000,000.

(iii) For each of fiscal years 2013 and 2014, $30,000,000.

(iv) For each of fiscal years 2015 and 2016, $20,000,000.

(B) Allocation

(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1817, as added

§ 1395i–1. Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund (established by section 1395i of this title) from time to time such sums as the Secretary deems necessary for any fiscal year, on account of—

(1) payments made or to be made during such fiscal year from such Trust Fund under this part with respect to individuals who are qualified railroad retirement beneficiaries (as defined in section 426(c) 1

1 See References in Text note below.

of this title) and who are not, and upon filing application for monthly insurance benefits under section 402 of this title would not be, entitled to such benefits if service as an employee (as defined in the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937 [45 U.S.C. 228a et seq.]) after December 31, 1936, had been included in the term “employment” as defined in this chapter,

(2) the additional administrative expenses resulting or expected to result therefrom, and

(3) any loss of interest to such Trust Fund resulting from the payment of such amounts,

in order to place such Trust Fund in the same position at the end of such fiscal year in which it would have been if the individuals described in paragraph (1) had not been entitled to benefits under this part.

(Pub. L. 89–97, title I, § 111(d), July 30, 1965, 79 Stat. 343.)

§ 1395i–1a. Repealed. Pub. L. 101–234, title I, § 102(a), Dec. 13, 1989, 103 Stat. 1980

§ 1395i–2. Hospital insurance benefits for uninsured elderly individuals not otherwise eligible

(a) Individuals eligible to enrollEvery individual who—

(1) has attained the age of 65,

(2) is enrolled under part B of this subchapter,

(3) is a resident of the United States, and is either (A) a citizen or (B) an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence who has resided in the United States continuously during the 5 years immediately preceding the month in which he applies for enrollment under this section, and

(4) is not otherwise entitled to benefits under this part,

shall be eligible to enroll in the insurance program established by this part. Except as otherwise provided, any reference to an individual entitled to benefits under this part includes an individual entitled to benefits under this part pursuant to an enrollment under this section or section 1395i–2a of this title.

(span) Time, manner, and form of enrollment

(c) Period of enrollment; scope of coverageThe provisions of section 1395p of this title (except subsections (f) and (o) thereof), section 1395q of this title, subsection (span) of section 1395r of this title, and subsections (f) and (h) of section 1395s of this title shall apply to persons authorized to enroll under this section except that—

(1) individuals who meet the conditions of subsection (a)(1), (3), and (4) on or before the last day of the seventh month after October 1972 may enroll under this part and (if not already so enrolled) may also enroll under part B during an initial general enrollment period which shall begin on the first day of the second month which begins after October 30, 1972, and shall end on the last day of the tenth month after October 1972;

(2) in the case of an individual who first meets the conditions of eligibility under this section on or after the first day of the eighth month after October 1972, the initial enrollment period shall begin on the first day of the third month before the month in which he first becomes eligible and shall end 7 months later;

(3) in the case of an individual who enrolls pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, entitlement to benefits shall begin on—

(A) the first day of the second month after the month in which he enrolls,

(B)July 1, 1973, or

whichever is the latest;

(4) an individual’s entitlement under this section shall terminate with the month before the first month in which he becomes eligible for hospital insurance benefits under section 426 of this title or section 426a of this title; and upon such termination, such individual shall be deemed, solely for purposes of hospital insurance entitlement, to have filed in such first month the application required to establish such entitlement;

(5) termination of coverage for supplementary medical insurance shall result in simultaneous termination of hospital insurance benefits for uninsured individuals who are not otherwise entitled to benefits under this chapter;

(6) any percent increase effected under section 1395r(span) of this title in an individual’s monthly premium may not exceed 10 percent and shall only apply to premiums paid during a period equal to twice the number of months in the full 12-month periods described in that section and shall be subject to reduction in accordance with subsection (d)(6);

(7) an individual who meets the conditions of subsection (a) may enroll under this part during a special enrollment period that includes any month during any part of which the individual is enrolled under section 1395mm of this title with an eligible organization and ending with the last day of the 8th consecutive month in which the individual is at no time so enrolled;

(8) in the case of an individual who enrolls during a special enrollment period under paragraph (7)—

(A) in any month of the special enrollment period in which the individual is at any time enrolled under section 1395mm of this title with an eligible organization or in the first month following such a month, the coverage period shall begin on the first day of the month in which the individual so enrolls (or, at the option of the individual, on the first day of any of the following three months), or

(B) in any other month of the special enrollment period, the coverage period shall begin on the first day of the month following the month in which the individual so enrolls; and

(9) in applying the provisions of section 1395r(span) of this title, there shall not be taken into account months for which the individual can demonstrate that the individual was enrolled under section 1395mm of this title with an eligible organization.

(d) Monthly premiums

(1) The Secretary shall, during September of each year (beginning with 1988), estimate the monthly actuarial rate for months in the succeeding year. Such actuarial rate shall be one-twelfth of the amount which the Secretary estimates (on an average, per capita basis) is equal to 100 percent of the benefits and administrative costs which will be payable from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund for services performed and related administrative costs incurred in the succeeding year with respect to individuals age 65 and over who will be entitled to benefits under this part during that year.

(2) The Secretary shall, during September of each year 1

1 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.

determine and promulgate the dollar amount which shall be applicable for premiums for months occurring in the following year. Subject to paragraphs (4) and (5), the amount of an individual’s monthly premium under this section shall be equal to the monthly actuarial rate determined under paragraph (1) for that following year. Any amount determined under the preceding sentence which is not a multiple of $1 shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of $1 (or, if it is a multiple of 50 cents but not a multiple of $1, to the next higher multiple of $1).

(3) Whenever the Secretary promulgates the dollar amount which shall be applicable as the monthly premium under this section, he shall, at the time such promulgation is announced, issue a public statement setting forth the actuarial assumptions and bases employed by him in arriving at the amount of an adequate actuarial rate for individuals 65 and older as provided in paragraph (1).

(4)

(A) In the case of an individual described in subparagraph (B), the monthly premium for a month shall be reduced by the applicable reduction percent specified in the following table:

For a month in:	The applicable reduction percent is:
1994	25 percent
1995	30 percent
1996	35 percent
1997	40 percent
1998 or subsequent year	45 percent.

(B) An individual described in this subparagraph with respect to a month is an individual who establishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary that, as of the last day of the previous month, the individual—

(i) had at least 30 quarters of coverage under subchapter II;

(ii) was married (and had been married for the previous 1-year period) to an individual who had at least 30 quarters of coverage under such subchapter;

(iii) had been married to an individual for a period of at least 1 year (at the time of such individual’s death) if at such time the individual had at least 30 quarters of coverage under such subchapter; or

(iv) is divorced from an individual and had been married to the individual for a period of at least 10 years (at the time of the divorce) if at such time the individual had at least 30 quarters of coverage under such subchapter.

(5)

(A) The amount of the monthly premium shall be zero in the case of an individual who is a person described in subparagraph (B) for a month, if—

(i) the individual’s premium under this section for the month is not (and will not be) paid for, in whole or in part, by a State (under subchapter XIX or otherwise), a political subdivision of a State, or an agency or instrumentality of one or more States or political subdivisions thereof; and

(ii) in each of 84 months before such month, the individual was enrolled in this part under this section and the payment of the individual’s premium under this section for the month was not paid for, in whole or in part, by a State (under subchapter XIX or otherwise), a political subdivision of a State, or an agency or instrumentality of one or more States or political subdivisions thereof.

(B) A person described in this subparagraph for a month is a person who establishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary that, as of the last day of the previous month—

(i)(I) the person was receiving cash benefits under a qualified State or local government retirement system (as defined in subparagraph (C)) on the basis of the person’s employment in one or more positions covered under any such system, and (II) the person would have at least 40 quarters of coverage under subchapter II if remuneration for medicare qualified government employment (as defined in paragraph (1) of section 410(p) of this title, but determined without regard to paragraph (3) of such section) paid to such person were treated as wages paid to such person and credited for purposes of determining quarters of coverage under section 413 of this title;

(ii)(I) the person was married (and had been married for the previous 1-year period) to an individual who is described in clause (i), or (II) the person met the requirement of clause (i)(II) and was married (and had been married for the previous 1-year period) to an individual described in clause (i)(I);

(iii) the person had been married to an individual for a period of at least 1 year (at the time of such individual’s death) if (I) the individual was described in clause (i) at the time of the individual’s death, or (II) the person met the requirement of clause (i)(II) and the individual was described in clause (i)(I) at the time of the individual’s death; or

(iv) the person is divorced from an individual and had been married to the individual for a period of at least 10 years (at the time of the divorce) if (I) the individual was described in clause (i) at the time of the divorce, or (II) the person met the requirement of clause (i)(II) and the individual was described in clause (i)(I) at the time of the divorce.

(C) For purposes of subparagraph (B)(i)(I), the term “qualified State or local government retirement system” means a retirement system that—

(i) is established or maintained by a State or political subdivision thereof, or an agency or instrumentality of one or more States or political subdivisions thereof;

(ii) covers positions of some or all employees of such a State, subdivision, agency, or instrumentality; and

(iii) does not adjust cash retirement benefits based on eligibility for a reduction in premium under this paragraph.

(6)

(A) In the case where a State, a political subdivision of a State, or an agency or instrumentality of a State or political subdivision thereof determines to pay, for the life of each individual, the monthly premiums due under paragraph (1) on behalf of each of the individuals in a qualified State or local government retiree group who meets the conditions of subsection (a), the amount of any increase otherwise applicable under section 1395r(span) of this title (as applied and modified by subsection (c)(6) of this section) with respect to the monthly premium for benefits under this part for an individual who is a member of such group shall be reduced by the total amount of taxes paid under section 3101(span) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 by such individual and under section 3111(span) of such Code by the employers of such individual on behalf of such individual with respect to employment (as defined in section 3121(span) of such Code).

(B) For purposes of this paragraph, the term “qualified State or local government retiree group” means all of the individuals who retire prior to a specified date that is before January 1, 2002, from employment in one or more occupations or other broad classes of employees of—

(i) the State;

(ii) a political subdivision of the State; or

(iii) an agency or instrumentality of the State or political subdivision of the State.

(e) Contract or other arrangement for payment of monthly premiums

(f) Deposit of amounts into Treasury

(g) Buy-in under this part for qualified medicare beneficiaries

(1) The Secretary shall, at the request of a State made after 1989, enter into a modification of an agreement entered into with the State pursuant to section 1395v(a) of this title under which the agreement provides for enrollment in the program established by this part of qualified medicare beneficiaries (as defined in section 1396d(p)(1) of this title).

(2)

(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the provisions of subsections (c), (d), (e), and (f) of section 1395v of this title shall apply to qualified medicare beneficiaries enrolled, pursuant to such agreement, in the program established by this part in the same manner and to the same extent as they apply to qualified medicare beneficiaries enrolled, pursuant to such agreement, in part B.

(B) For purposes of this subsection, section 1395v(d)(1) of this title shall be applied by substituting “section 1395i–2 of this title” for “section 1395r of this title” and “subsection (c)(6) (with reference to subsection (span) of section 1395r of this title)” for “subsection (span)”.

(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1818, as added Puspan. L. 92–603, title II, § 202, Oct. 30, 1972, 86 Stat. 1374; amended Puspan. L. 98–21, title VI, § 606(a)(3)(D), (span), Apr. 20, 1983, 97 Stat. 170, 171; Puspan. L. 98–369, div. B, title III, §§ 2315(e), 2354(span)(3), (4), July 18, 1984, 98 Stat. 1080, 1100; Puspan. L. 99–272, title IX, § 9124(a), Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 168; Puspan. L. 100–203, title IV, § 4009(j)(9), Dec. 22, 1987, as added Puspan. L. 100–360, title IV, § 411(span)(8)(D), July 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 772; Puspan. L. 100–360, title I, § 103, July 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 687; Puspan. L. 100–485, title VI, § 608(d)(2), Oct. 13, 1988, 102 Stat. 2413; Puspan. L. 101–239, title VI, §§ 6012(a)(1), 6013(a), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2161, 2163; Puspan. L. 101–508, title IV, § 4008(g)(1), (m)(3)(D), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–45, 1388–54; Puspan. L. 103–66, title XIII, § 13508(a), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 579; Puspan. L. 105–33, title IV, § 4453(a), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 425; Puspan. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(6) [title III, § 331(a)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–502; Puspan. L. 108–173, title I, § 101(e)(5), title VII, § 736(a)(7), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2151, 2355; Puspan. L. 117–108, title I, § 101(span)(2)(A), Apr. 6, 2022, 136 Stat. 1136.)

§ 1395i–2a. Hospital insurance benefits for disabled individuals who have exhausted other entitlement

(a) EligibilityEvery individual who—

(1) has not attained the age of 65;

(2)

(A) has been entitled to benefits under this part under section 426(b) of this title, and

(B)

(i) continues to have the disabling physical or mental impairment on the basis of which the individual was found to be under a disability or to be a disabled qualified railroad retirement beneficiary, or (ii) is blind (within the meaning of section 416(i)(1) of this title), but

(C) whose entitlement under section 426(b) of this title ends due solely to the individual having earnings that exceed the substantial gainful activity amount (as defined in section 423(d)(4) of this title); and

(3) is not otherwise entitled to benefits under this part,

shall be eligible to enroll in the insurance program established by this part.

(b) Enrollment

(1) An individual may enroll under this section only in such manner and form as may be prescribed in regulations, and only during an enrollment period prescribed in or under this section.

(2) The individual’s initial enrollment period shall begin with the month in which the individual receives notice that the individual’s entitlement to benefits under section 426(b) of this title will end due solely to the individual having earnings that exceed the substantial gainful activity amount (as defined in section 423(d)(4) of this title and shall end 7 months later.

(3) There shall be a general enrollment period during the period beginning on January 1 and ending on March 31 of each year (beginning with 1990).

(1) The period (in this subsection referred to as a “coverage period”) during which an individual is entitled to benefits under the insurance program under this part shall begin on whichever of the following is the latest:

(A) In the case of an individual who enrolls under subsection (b)(2) before the month in which the individual first satisfies subsection (a), the first day of such month.

(B) In the case of an individual who enrolls under subsection (b)(2) in the month in which the individual first satisfies subsection (a), the first day of the month following the month in which the individual so enrolls.

(C) In the case of an individual who enrolls under subsection (b)(2) in the month following the month in which the individual first satisfies subsection (a), the first day of the second month following the month in which the individual so enrolls.

(D) In the case of an individual who enrolls under subsection (b)(2) more than one month following the month in which the individual first satisfies subsection (a), the first day of the third month following the month in which the individual so enrolls.

(E) In the case of an individual who enrolls under subsection (b)(3), the July 1 following the month in which the individual so enrolls.

(2) An individual’s coverage period under this section shall continue until the individual’s enrollment is terminated as follows:

(A) As of the month following the month in which the Secretary provides notice to the individual that the individual no longer meets the condition described in subsection (a)(2)(B).

(B) As of the month following the month in which the individual files notice that the individual no longer wishes to participate in the insurance program established by this part.

(C) As of the month before the first month in which the individual becomes eligible for hospital insurance benefits under section 426(a) or 426–1 of this title.

(D) As of a date, determined under regulations of the Secretary, for nonpayment of premiums.

The regulations under subparagraph (D) may provide a grace period of not longer than 90 days, which may be extended to not to exceed 180 days in any case where the Secretary determines that there was good cause for failure to pay the overdue premiums within such 90-day period. Termination of coverage under this section shall result in simultaneous termination of any coverage affected under any other part of this subchapter.

(3) The provisions of subsections (h), (i), and (m) of section 1395p of this title apply to enrollment and nonenrollment under this section in the same manner as they apply to enrollment and nonenrollment and special enrollment periods under section 1395i–2 of this title.

(d) Payment of premiums

(1)

(A) Premiums for enrollment under this section shall be paid to the Secretary at such times, and in such manner, as the Secretary shall by regulations prescribe, and shall be deposited in the Treasury to the credit of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund.

(B)

(i) Subject to clause (ii), such premiums shall be payable for the period commencing with the first month of an individual’s coverage period and ending with the month in which the individual dies or, if earlier, in which the individual’s coverage period terminates.

(ii) Such premiums shall not be payable for any month in which the individual is eligible for benefits under this part pursuant to section 426(b) of this title.

(2) The provisions of subsections (d) through (f) of section 1395i–2 of this title (relating to premiums) shall apply to individuals enrolled under this section in the same manner as they apply to individuals enrolled under that section.

(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1818A, as added Pub. L. 101–239, title VI, § 6012(a)(2), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2161; amended Pub. L. 101–508, title IV, § 4008(m)(3)(C), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–54; Pub. L. 116–260, div. CC, title I, § 120(a)(2)(C)(i), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2954.)

§ 1395i–3. Requirements for, and assuring quality of care in, skilled nursing facilities

(a) “Skilled nursing facility” definedIn this subchapter, the term “skilled nursing facility” means an institution (or a distinct part of an institution) which—

(1) is primarily engaged in providing to residents—

(A) skilled nursing care and related services for residents who require medical or nursing care, or

(B) rehabilitation services for the rehabilitation of injured, disabled, or sick persons,

and is not primarily for the care and treatment of mental diseases;

(2) has in effect a transfer agreement (meeting the requirements of section 1395x(l) of this title) with one or more hospitals having agreements in effect under section 1395cc of this title; and

(3) meets the requirements for a skilled nursing facility described in subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section.

(b) Requirements relating to provision of services

(1) Quality of life

(A) In general

(B) Quality assessment and assurance

(2) Scope of services and activities under plan of careA skilled nursing facility must provide services to attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each resident, in accordance with a written plan of care which—

(A) describes the medical, nursing, and psychosocial needs of the resident and how such needs will be met;

(B) is initially prepared, with the participation to the extent practicable of the resident or the resident’s family or legal representative, by a team which includes the resident’s attending physician and a registered professional nurse with responsibility for the resident; and

(3) Residents’ assessment

(A) RequirementA skilled nursing facility must conduct a comprehensive, accurate, standardized, reproducible assessment of each resident’s functional capacity, which assessment—

(i) describes the resident’s capability to perform daily life functions and significant impairments in functional capacity;

(ii) is based on a uniform minimum data set specified by the Secretary under subsection (f)(6)(A);

(iii) uses an instrument which is specified by the State under subsection (e)(5); and

(iv) includes the identification of medical problems.

(B) Certification

(i) In general

(ii) Penalty for falsification(I) An individual who willfully and knowingly certifies under clause (i) a material and false statement in a resident assessment is subject to a civil money penalty of not more than $1,000 with respect to each assessment.(II) An individual who willfully and knowingly causes another individual to certify under clause (i) a material and false statement in a resident assessment is subject to a civil money penalty of not more than $5,000 with respect to each assessment.(III) The provisions of section 1320a–7a of this title (other than subsections (a) and (b)) shall apply to a civil money penalty under this clause in the same manner as such provisions apply to a penalty or proceeding under section 1320a–7a(a) of this title.

(iii) Use of independent assessors

(i) In generalSubject to the timeframes prescribed by the Secretary under section 1395yy(e)(6) of this title, such an assessment must be conducted—(I) promptly upon (but no later than 14 days after the date of) admission for each individual admitted on or after October 1, 1990, and by not later than January 1, 1991, for each resident of the facility on that date;(II) promptly after a significant change in the resident’s physical or mental condition; and(III) in no case less often than once every 12 months.

(ii) Resident review

(D) Use

(E) Coordination

(4) Provision of services and activities

(A) In generalTo the extent needed to fulfill all plans of care described in paragraph (2), a skilled nursing facility must provide, directly or under arrangements (or, with respect to dental services, under agreements) with others for the provision of—

(i) nursing services and specialized rehabilitative services to attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each resident;

(ii) medically-related social services to attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each resident;

(iii) pharmaceutical services (including procedures that assure the accurate acquiring, receiving, dispensing, and administering of all drugs and biologicals) to meet the needs of each resident;

(iv) dietary services that assure that the meals meet the daily nutritional and special dietary needs of each resident;

(v) an on-going program, directed by a qualified professional, of activities designed to meet the interests and the physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each resident;

(vi) routine and emergency dental services to meet the needs of each resident; and

(vii) treatment and services required by mentally ill and mentally retarded residents not otherwise provided or arranged for (or required to be provided or arranged for) by the State.

The services provided or arranged by the facility must meet professional standards of quality. Nothing in clause (vi) shall be construed as requiring a facility to provide or arrange for dental services described in that clause without additional charge.

(B) Qualified persons providing services

(i) In general

(ii) ExceptionTo the extent that clause (i) may be deemed to require that a skilled nursing facility engage the services of a registered professional nurse for more than 40 hours a week, the Secretary is authorized to waive such requirement if the Secretary finds that—(I) the facility is located in a rural area and the supply of skilled nursing facility services in such area is not sufficient to meet the needs of individuals residing therein,(II) the facility has one full-time registered professional nurse who is regularly on duty at such facility 40 hours a week,(III) the facility either has only patients whose physicians have indicated (through physicians’ orders or admission notes) that each such patient does not require the services of a registered nurse or a physician for a 48-hour period, or has made arrangements for a registered professional nurse or a physician to spend such time at such facility as may be indicated as necessary by the physician to provide necessary skilled nursing services on days when the regular full-time registered professional nurse is not on duty,(IV) the Secretary provides notice of the waiver to the State long-term care ombudsman (established under section 307(a)(12) 1

1 See References in Text note below.

of the Older Americans Act of 1965) and the protection and advocacy system in the State for the mentally ill and the mentally retarded, and(V) the facility that is granted such a waiver notifies residents of the facility (or, where appropriate, the guardians or legal representatives of such residents) and members of their immediate families of the waiver.

A waiver under this subparagraph shall be subject to annual renewal.

(5) Required training of nurse aides

(A) In general

(i) Except as provided in clause (ii), a skilled nursing facility must not use on a full-time basis any individual as a nurse aide in the facility on or after October 1, 1990 for more than 4 months unless the individual—(I) has completed a training and competency evaluation program, or a competency evaluation program, approved by the State under subsection (e)(1)(A), and(II) is competent to provide nursing or nursing-related services.

(ii) A skilled nursing facility must not use on a temporary, per diem, leased, or on any basis other than as a permanent employee any individual as a nurse aide in the facility on or after January 1, 1991, unless the individual meets the requirements described in clause (i).

(B) Offering competency evaluation programs for current employees

(D) Re-training required

(E) Regular in-service education

(F) “Nurse aide” definedIn this paragraph, the term “nurse aide” means any individual providing nursing or nursing-related services to residents in a skilled nursing facility, but does not include an individual—

(i) who is a licensed health professional (as defined in subparagraph (G)) or a registered dietician, or

(ii) who volunteers to provide such services without monetary compensation.

Such term includes an individual who provides such services through an agency or under a contract with the facility.

(G) “Licensed health professional” defined

(6) Physician supervision and clinical recordsA skilled nursing facility must—

(A) require that the medical care of every resident be provided under the supervision of a physician;

(B) provide for having a physician available to furnish necessary medical care in case of emergency; and

(C) maintain clinical records on all residents, which records include the plans of care (described in paragraph (2)) and the residents’ assessments (described in paragraph (3)).

(7) Required social services

(8) Information on nurse staffing

(A) In general

(B) Publication of data

(1) General rights

(A) Specified rightsA skilled nursing facility must protect and promote the rights of each resident, including each of the following rights:

(i) Free choice

(ii) Free from restraintsThe right to be free from physical or mental abuse, corporal punishment, involuntary seclusion, and any physical or chemical restraints imposed for purposes of discipline or convenience and not required to treat the resident’s medical symptoms. Restraints may only be imposed—(I) to ensure the physical safety of the resident or other residents, and(II) only upon the written order of a physician that specifies the duration and circumstances under which the restraints are to be used (except in emergency circumstances specified by the Secretary until such an order could reasonably be obtained).

(iii) Privacy

(iv) Confidentiality

(v) Accommodation of needsThe right—(I) to reside and receive services with reasonable accommodation of individual needs and preferences, except where the health or safety of the individual or other residents would be endangered, and(II) to receive notice before the room or roommate of the resident in the facility is changed.

(vi) Grievances

(vii) Participation in resident and family groups

(viii) Participation in other activities

(ix) Examination of survey results

(x) Refusal of certain transfers

(xi) Other rights

Clause (iii) shall not be construed as requiring the provision of a private room. A resident’s exercise of a right to refuse transfer under clause (x) shall not affect the resident’s eligibility or entitlement to benefits under this subchapter or to medical assistance under subchapter XIX of this chapter.

(B) Notice of rights and servicesA skilled nursing facility must—

(i) inform each resident, orally and in writing at the time of admission to the facility, of the resident’s legal rights during the stay at the facility;

(ii) make available to each resident, upon reasonable request, a written statement of such rights (which statement is updated upon changes in such rights) including the notice (if any) of the State developed under section 1396r(e)(6) of this title; and

(iii) inform each other resident, in writing before or at the time of admission and periodically during the resident’s stay, of services available in the facility and of related charges for such services, including any charges for services not covered under this subchapter or by the facility’s basic per diem charge.

The written description of legal rights under this subparagraph shall include a description of the protection of personal funds under paragraph (6) and a statement that a resident may file a complaint with a State survey and certification agency respecting resident abuse and neglect and misappropriation of resident property in the facility.

(D) Use of psychopharmacologic drugs

(E) Information respecting advance directives

(2) Transfer and discharge rights

(A) In generalA skilled nursing facility must permit each resident to remain in the facility and must not transfer or discharge the resident from the facility unless—

(i) the transfer or discharge is necessary to meet the resident’s welfare and the resident’s welfare cannot be met in the facility;

(ii) the transfer or discharge is appropriate because the resident’s health has improved sufficiently so the resident no longer needs the services provided by the facility;

(iii) the safety of individuals in the facility is endangered;

(iv) the health of individuals in the facility would otherwise be endangered;

(v) the resident has failed, after reasonable and appropriate notice, to pay (or to have paid under this subchapter or subchapter XIX on the resident’s behalf) for a stay at the facility; or

(vi) the facility ceases to operate.

In each of the cases described in clauses (i) through (v), the basis for the transfer or discharge must be documented in the resident’s clinical record. In the cases described in clauses (i) and (ii), the documentation must be made by the resident’s physician, and in the cases described in clauses (iii) and (iv) the documentation must be made by a physician.

(B) Pre-transfer and pre-discharge notice

(i) In generalBefore effecting a transfer or discharge of a resident, a skilled nursing facility must—(I) notify the resident (and, if known, a family member of the resident or legal representative) of the transfer or discharge and the reasons therefor,(II) record the reasons in the resident’s clinical record (including any documentation required under subparagraph (A)), and(III) include in the notice the items described in clause (iii).

(ii) Timing of noticeThe notice under clause (i)(I) must be made at least 30 days in advance of the resident’s transfer or discharge except—(I) in a case described in clause (iii) or (iv) of subparagraph (A);(II) in a case described in clause (ii) of subparagraph (A), where the resident’s health improves sufficiently to allow a more immediate transfer or discharge;(III) in a case described in clause (i) of subparagraph (A), where a more immediate transfer or discharge is necessitated by the resident’s urgent medical needs; or(IV) in a case where a resident has not resided in the facility for 30 days.

In the case of such exceptions, notice must be given as many days before the date of the transfer or discharge as is practicable.

(iii) Items included in noticeEach notice under clause (i) must include—(I) for transfers or discharges effected on or after October 1, 1990, notice of the resident’s right to appeal the transfer or discharge under the State process established under subsection (e)(3); and(II) the name, mailing address, and telephone number of the State long-term care ombudsman (established under title III or VII of the Older Americans Act of 1965 [42 U.S.C. 3021 et seq., 3058 et seq.] in accordance with section 712 of the Act [42 U.S.C. 3058g]).

(3) Access and visitation rightsA skilled nursing facility must—

(A) permit immediate access to any resident by any representative of the Secretary, by any representative of the State, by an ombudsman described in paragraph (2)(B)(iii)(II), or by the resident’s individual physician;

(B) permit immediate access to a resident, subject to the resident’s right to deny or withdraw consent at any time, by immediate family or other relatives of the resident;

(C) permit immediate access to a resident, subject to reasonable restrictions and the resident’s right to deny or withdraw consent at any time, by others who are visiting with the consent of the resident;

(D) permit reasonable access to a resident by any entity or individual that provides health, social, legal, or other services to the resident, subject to the resident’s right to deny or withdraw consent at any time; and

(E) permit representatives of the State ombudsman (described in paragraph (2)(B)(iii)(II)), with the permission of the resident (or the resident’s legal representative) and consistent with State law, to examine a resident’s clinical records.

(4) Equal access to quality care

(5) Admissions policy

(A) AdmissionsWith respect to admissions practices, a skilled nursing facility must—

(i)(I) not require individuals applying to reside or residing in the facility to waive their rights to benefits under this subchapter or under a State plan under subchapter XIX, (II) not require oral or written assurance that such individuals are not eligible for, or will not apply for, benefits under this subchapter or such a State plan, and (III) prominently display in the facility and provide to such individuals written information about how to apply for and use such benefits and how to receive refunds for previous payments covered by such benefits; and

(ii) not require a third party guarantee of payment to the facility as a condition of admission (or expedited admission) to, or continued stay in, the facility.

(B) Construction

(i) No preemption of stricter standards

(ii) Contracts with legal representatives

(6) Protection of resident funds

(A) In generalThe skilled nursing facility—

(i) may not require residents to deposit their personal funds with the facility, and

(ii) upon the written authorization of the resident, must hold, safeguard, and account for such personal funds under a system established and maintained by the facility in accordance with this paragraph.

(B) Management of personal fundsUpon written authorization of a resident under subparagraph (A)(ii), the facility must manage and account for the personal funds of the resident deposited with the facility as follows:

(i) Deposit

(ii) Accounting and records

(iii) Conveyance upon death

(D) Limitation on charges to personal funds

(d) Requirements relating to administration and other matters

(1) Administration

(A) In general

(B) Required noticesIf a change occurs in—

(i) the persons with an ownership or control interest (as defined in section 1320a–3(a)(3) of this title) in the facility,

(ii) the persons who are officers, directors, agents, or managing employees (as defined in section 1320a–5(b) of this title) of the facility,

(iii) the corporation, association, or other company responsible for the management of the facility, or

(iv) the individual who is the administrator or director of nursing of the facility,

the skilled nursing facility must provide notice to the State agency responsible for the licensing of the facility, at the time of the change, of the change and of the identity of each new person, company, or individual described in the respective clause.

4 So in original. Two subpars. (C) have been enacted. See Amendment of Subsection (d)(1) note below.

Skilled nursing facility administrator

(i) have reports with respect to any surveys, certifications, and complaint investigations made respecting the facility during the 3 preceding years available for any individual to review upon request; and

(ii) post notice of the availability of such reports in areas of the facility that are prominent and accessible to the public.

The facility shall not make available under clause (i) identifying information about complainants or residents.

(2) Licensing and Life Safety Code

(A) Licensing

(B) Life Safety CodeA skilled nursing facility must meet such provisions of such edition (as specified by the Secretary in regulation) of the Life Safety Code of the National Fire Protection Association as are applicable to nursing homes; except that—

(i) the Secretary may waive, for such periods as he deems appropriate, specific provisions of such Code which if rigidly applied would result in unreasonable hardship upon a facility, but only if such waiver would not adversely affect the health and safety of residents or personnel, and

(ii) the provisions of such Code shall not apply in any State if the Secretary finds that in such State there is in effect a fire and safety code, imposed by State law, which adequately protects residents of and personnel in skilled nursing facilities.

(3) Sanitary and infection control and physical environmentA skilled nursing facility must—

(A) establish and maintain an infection control program designed to provide a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment in which residents reside and to help prevent the development and transmission of disease and infection, and

(B) be designed, constructed, equipped, and maintained in a manner to protect the health and safety of residents, personnel, and the general public.

(4) Miscellaneous

(A) Compliance with Federal, State, and local laws and professional standards

(B) Other

(e) State requirements relating to skilled nursing facility requirementsThe requirements, referred to in section 1395aa(d) of this title, with respect to a State are as follows:

(1) Specification and review of nurse aide training and competency evaluation programs and of nurse aide competency evaluation programsThe State must—

(A) by not later than January 1, 1989, specify those training and competency evaluation programs, and those competency evaluation programs, that the State approves for purposes of subsection (b)(5) and that meet the requirements established under subsection (f)(2), and

(B) by not later than January 1, 1990, provide for the review and reapproval of such programs, at a frequency and using a methodology consistent with the requirements established under subsection (f)(2)(A)(iii).

The failure of the Secretary to establish requirements under subsection (f)(2) shall not relieve any State of its responsibility under this paragraph.

(2) Nurse aide registry

(A) In general

(B) Information in registry

(3) State appeals process for transfers and discharges

(4) Skilled nursing facility administrator standards

(5) Specification of resident assessment instrumentEffective July 1, 1990, the State shall specify the instrument to be used by nursing facilities in the State in complying with the requirement of subsection (b)(3)(A)(iii). Such instrument shall be—

(A) one of the instruments designated under subsection (f)(6)(B), or

(B) an instrument which the Secretary has approved as being consistent with the minimum data set of core elements, common definitions, and utilization guidelines specified by the Secretary under subsection (f)(6)(A).

(f) Responsibilities of Secretary relating to skilled nursing facility requirements

(1) General responsibility

(2) Requirements for nurse aide training and competency evaluation programs and for nurse aide competency evaluation programs

(A) In generalFor purposes of subsections (b)(5) and (e)(1)(A), the Secretary shall establish, by not later than September 1, 1988—

(i) requirements for the approval of nurse aide training and competency evaluation programs, including requirements relating to (I) the areas to be covered in such a program (including at least basic nursing skills, personal care skills, recognition of mental health and social service needs, care of cognitively impaired residents, basic restorative services, and residents’ rights) and span of the curriculum (including, in the case of initial training and, if the Secretary determines appropriate, in the case of ongoing training, dementia management training, and patient abuse prevention training,5

5 So in original. A closing parenthesis probably should appear before the comma.

(II) minimum hours of initial and ongoing training and retraining (including not less than 75 hours in the case of initial training), (III) qualifications of instructors, and (IV) procedures for determination of competency;

(ii) requirements for the approval of nurse aide competency evaluation programs, including requirement relating to the areas to be covered in such a program, including at least basic nursing skills, personal care skills, recognition of mental health and social service needs, care of cognitively impaired residents, basic restorative services, residents’ rights, and procedures for determination of competency;

(iii) requirements respecting the minimum frequency and methodology to be used by a State in reviewing such programs’ compliance with the requirements for such programs; and

(iv) requirements, under both such programs, that—(I) provide procedures for determining competency that permit a nurse aide, at the nurse aide’s option, to establish competency through procedures or methods other than the passing of a written examination and to have the competency evaluation conducted at the nursing facility at which the aide is (or will be) employed (unless the facility is described in subparagraph (B)(iii)(I)),(II) prohibit the imposition on a nurse aide who is employed by (or who has received an offer of employment from) a facility on the date on which the aide begins either such program of any charges (including any charges for textbooks and other required course materials and any charges for the competency evaluation) for either such program, and(III) in the case of a nurse aide not described in subclause (II) who is employed by (or who has received an offer of employment from) a facility not later than 12 months after completing either such program, the State shall provide for the reimbursement of costs incurred in completing such program on a prorata 6

6 So in original. Probably should be “pro rata”.

basis during the period in which the nurse aide is so employed.

(B) Approval of certain programsSuch requirements—

(i) may permit approval of programs offered by or in facilities (subject to clause (iii)), as well as outside facilities (including employee organizations), and of programs in effect on December 22, 1987;

(ii) shall permit a State to find that an individual who has completed (before July 1, 1989) a nurse aide training and competency evaluation program shall be deemed to have completed such a program approved under subsection (b)(5) if the State determines that, at the time the program was offered, the program met the requirements for approval under such paragraph; and

(iii) subject to subparagraphs (C) and (D), shall prohibit approval of such a program—(I) offered by or in a skilled nursing facility which, within the previous 2 years—(II) offered by or in a skilled nursing facility unless the State makes the determination, upon an individual’s completion of the program, that the individual is competent to provide nursing and nursing-related services in skilled nursing facilities.

(a) has operated under a waiver under subsection (b)(4)(C)(ii)(II);

(b) has been subject to an extended (or partial extended) survey under subsection (g)(2)(B)(i) or section 1396r(g)(2)(B)(i) of this title, unless the survey shows that the facility is in compliance with the requirements of subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section; or

(c) has been assessed a civil money penalty described in subsection (h)(2)(B)(ii) or section 1396r(h)(2)(A)(ii) of this title of not less than $5,000, or has been subject to a remedy described in clause (i) or (iii) of subsection (h)(2)(B), subsection (h)(4), section 1396r(h)(1)(B)(i) of this title, or in clause (i), (iii), or (iv) of section 1396r(h)(2)(A) of this title, or

A State may not delegate (through subcontract or otherwise) its responsibility under clause (iii)(II) to the skilled nursing facility.

(C) Waiver authorizedClause (iii)(I) of subparagraph (B) shall not apply to a program offered in (but not by) a nursing facility (or skilled nursing facility for purposes of this subchapter) in a State if the State—

(i) determines that there is no other such program offered within a reasonable distance of the facility,

(ii) assures, through an oversight effort, that an adequate environment exists for operating the program in the facility, and

(iii) provides notice of such determination and assurances to the State long-term care ombudsman.

(D) Waiver of disapproval of nurse-aide training programs

(3) Federal guidelines for State appeals process for transfers and discharges

(4) Secretarial standards for qualification of administrators

(5) Criteria for administrationThe Secretary shall establish criteria for assessing a skilled nursing facility’s compliance with the requirement of subsection (d)(1) with respect to—

(A) its governing body and management,

(B) agreements with hospitals regarding transfers of residents to and from the hospitals and to and from other skilled nursing facilities,

(D) direction of medical care by a physician,

(E) laboratory and radiological services,

(F) clinical records, and

(G) resident and advocate participation.

(6) Specification of resident assessment data set and instrumentsThe Secretary shall—

(A) not later than January 1, 1989, specify a minimum data set of core elements and common definitions for use by nursing facilities in conducting the assessments required under subsection (b)(3), and establish guidelines for utilization of the data set; and

(B) by not later than April 1, 1990, designate one or more instruments which are consistent with the specification made under subparagraph (A) and which a State may specify under subsection (e)(5)(A) for use by nursing facilities in complying with the requirements of subsection (b)(3)(A)(iii).

(7) List of items and services furnished in skilled nursing facilities not chargeable to the personal funds of a resident

(A) Regulations required

(B) Rule if failure to publish regulations

(8) Special focus facility program

(A) In general

(B) Periodic surveys

(g) Survey and certification process

(1) State and Federal responsibility

(A) In general

(B) Educational program

(D) Removal of name from nurse aide registry

(i) In generalIn the case of a finding of neglect under subparagraph (C), the State shall establish a procedure to permit a nurse aide to petition the State to have his or her name removed from the registry upon a determination by the State that—(I) the employment and personal history of the nurse aide does not reflect a pattern of abusive behavior or neglect; and(II) the neglect involved in the original finding was a singular occurrence.

(ii) Timing of determination

(E) Construction

(2) Surveys

(A) Standard survey

(i) In general

(ii) ContentsEach standard survey shall include, for a case-mix stratified sample of residents—(I) a survey of the quality of care furnished, as measured by indicators of medical, nursing, and rehabilitative care, dietary and nutrition services, activities and social participation, and sanitation, infection control, and the physical environment,(II) written plans of care provided under subsection (b)(2) and an audit of the residents’ assessments under subsection (b)(3) to determine the accuracy of such assessments and the adequacy of such plans of care, and(III) a review of compliance with residents’ rights under subsection (c).

(iii) Frequency(I) In general(II) Special surveys

(B) Extended surveys

(i) In general

(ii) Timing

(iii) Contents

(iv) Construction

(i) based upon a protocol which the Secretary has developed, tested, and validated by not later than January 1, 1990, and

(ii) by individuals, of a survey team, who meet such minimum qualifications as the Secretary establishes by not later than such date.

The failure of the Secretary to develop, test, or validate such protocols or to establish such minimum qualifications shall not relieve any State of its responsibility (or the Secretary of the Secretary’s responsibility) to conduct surveys under this subsection.

(D) Consistency of surveys

(E) Survey teams

(i) In general

(ii) Prohibition of conflicts of interest

(iii) Training

(3) Validation surveys

(A) In general

(B) Scope

(D) Special surveys of compliance

(4) Investigation of complaints and monitoring complianceEach State shall maintain procedures and adequate staff to—

(A) investigate complaints of violations of requirements by skilled nursing facilities, and

(B) monitor, on-site, on a regular, as needed basis, a skilled nursing facility’s compliance with the requirements of subsections (b), (c), and (d), if—

(i) the facility has been found not to be in compliance with such requirements and is in the process of correcting deficiencies to achieve such compliance;

(ii) the facility was previously found not to be in compliance with such requirements, has corrected deficiencies to achieve such compliance, and verification of continued compliance is indicated; or

(iii) the State has reason to question the compliance of the facility with such requirements.

A State may maintain and utilize a specialized team (including an attorney, an auditor, and appropriate health care professionals) for the purpose of identifying, surveying, gathering and preserving evidence, and carrying out appropriate enforcement actions against substandard skilled nursing facilities.

(5) Disclosure of results of inspections and activities

(A) Public informationEach State, and the Secretary, shall make available to the public—

(i) information respecting all surveys and certifications made respecting skilled nursing facilities, including statements of deficiencies, within 14 calendar days after such information is made available to those facilities, and approved plans of correction,

(ii) copies of cost reports of such facilities filed under this subchapter or subchapter XIX,

(iii) copies of statements of ownership under section 1320a–3 of this title, and

(iv) information disclosed under section 1320a–5 of this title.

(B) Notice to ombudsman

(C) Notice to physicians and skilled nursing facility administrator licensing boardIf a State finds that a skilled nursing facility has provided substandard quality of care, the State shall notify—

(i) the attending physician of each resident with respect to which such finding is made, and

(ii) the State board responsible for the licensing of the skilled nursing facility administrator at the facility.

(D) Access to fraud control units

(E) Submission of survey and certification information to the Secretary

(h) Enforcement process

(1) In generalIf a State finds, on the basis of a standard, extended, or partial extended survey under subsection (g)(2) or otherwise, that a skilled nursing facility no longer meets a requirement of subsection (b), (c), or (d), and further finds that the facility’s deficiencies—

(A) immediately jeopardize the health or safety of its residents, the State shall recommend to the Secretary that the Secretary take such action as described in paragraph (2)(A)(i); or

(B) do not immediately jeopardize the health or safety of its residents, the State may recommend to the Secretary that the Secretary take such action as described in paragraph (2)(A)(ii).

If a State finds that a skilled nursing facility meets the requirements of subsections (b), (c), and (d), but, as of a previous period, did not meet such requirements, the State may recommend a civil money penalty under paragraph (2)(B)(ii) for the days in which it finds that the facility was not in compliance with such requirements.

(2) Secretarial authority

(A) In generalWith respect to any skilled nursing facility in a State, if the Secretary finds, or pursuant to a recommendation of the State under paragraph (1) finds, that a skilled nursing facility no longer meets a requirement of subsection (b), (c), (d), or (e), and further finds that the facility’s deficiencies—

(i) immediately jeopardize the health or safety of its residents, the Secretary shall take immediate action to remove the jeopardy and correct the deficiencies through the remedy specified in subparagraph (B)(iii), or terminate the facility’s participation under this subchapter and may provide, in addition, for one or more of the other remedies described in subparagraph (B); or

(ii) do not immediately jeopardize the health or safety of its residents, the Secretary may impose any of the remedies described in subparagraph (B).

Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed as restricting the remedies available to the Secretary to remedy a skilled nursing facility’s deficiencies. If the Secretary finds, or pursuant to the recommendation of the State under paragraph (1) finds, that a skilled nursing facility meets such requirements but, as of a previous period, did not meet such requirements, the Secretary may provide for a civil money penalty under subparagraph (B)(ii) for the days on which he finds that the facility was not in compliance with such requirements.

(B) Specified remediesThe Secretary may take the following actions with respect to a finding that a facility has not met an applicable requirement:

(i) Denial of payment

(ii) Authority with respect to civil money penalties(I) In general(II) Reduction of civil money penalties in certain circumstances(III) Prohibitions on reduction for certain deficiencies(aa) Repeat deficiencies(bb) Certain other deficiencies(IV) Collection of civil money penaltiesIn the case of a civil money penalty imposed under this clause, the Secretary shall issue regulations that—(aa) subject to item (cc), not later than 30 days after the imposition of the penalty, provide for the facility to have the opportunity to participate in an independent informal dispute resolution process which generates a written record prior to the collection of such penalty;(bb) in the case where the penalty is imposed for each day of noncompliance, provide that a penalty may not be imposed for any day during the period beginning on the initial day of the imposition of the penalty and ending on the day on which the informal dispute resolution process under item (aa) is completed;(cc) may provide for the collection of such civil money penalty and the placement of such amounts collected in an escrow account under the direction of the Secretary on the earlier of the date on which the informal dispute resolution process under item (aa) is completed or the date that is 90 days after the date of the imposition of the penalty;(dd) may provide that such amounts collected are kept in such account pending the resolution of any subsequent appeals;(ee) in the case where the facility successfully appeals the penalty, may provide for the return of such amounts collected (plus interest) to the facility; and(ff) in the case where all such appeals are unsuccessful, may provide that some portion of such amounts collected may be used to support activities that benefit residents, including assistance to support and protect residents of a facility that closes (voluntarily or involuntarily) or is decertified (including offsetting costs of relocating residents to home and community-based settings or another facility), projects that support resident and family councils and other consumer involvement in assuring quality care in facilities, and facility improvement initiatives approved by the Secretary (including joint training of facility staff and surveyors, technical assistance for facilities implementing quality assurance programs, the appointment of temporary management firms, and other activities approved by the Secretary).

(iii) Appointment of temporary managementIn consultation with the State, the Secretary may appoint temporary management to oversee the operation of the facility and to assure the health and safety of the facility’s residents, where there is a need for temporary management while—(I) there is an orderly closure of the facility, or(II) improvements are made in order to bring the facility into compliance with all the requirements of subsections (b), (c), and (d).

The temporary management under this clause shall not be terminated under subclause (II) until the Secretary has determined that the facility has the management capability to ensure continued compliance with all the requirements of subsections (b), (c), and (d).

The Secretary shall specify criteria, as to when and how each of such remedies is to be applied, the amounts of any fines, and the severity of each of these remedies, to be used in the imposition of such remedies. Such criteria shall be designed so as to minimize the time between the identification of violations and final imposition of the remedies and shall provide for the imposition of incrementally more severe fines for repeated or uncorrected deficiencies. In addition, the Secretary may provide for other specified remedies, such as directed plans of correction.

(C) Continuation of payments pending remediationThe Secretary may continue payments, over a period of not longer than 6 months after the effective date of the findings, under this subchapter with respect to a skilled nursing facility not in compliance with a requirement of subsection (b), (c), or (d), if—

(i) the State survey agency finds that it is more appropriate to take alternative action to assure compliance of the facility with the requirements than to terminate the certification of the facility,

(ii) the State has submitted a plan and timetable for corrective action to the Secretary for approval and the Secretary approves the plan of corrective action, and

(iii) the facility agrees to repay to the Federal Government payments received under this subparagraph if the corrective action is not taken in accordance with the approved plan and timetable.

The Secretary shall establish guidelines for approval of corrective actions requested by States under this subparagraph.

(D) Assuring prompt compliance

(E) Repeated noncomplianceIn the case of a skilled nursing facility which, on 3 consecutive standard surveys conducted under subsection (g)(2), has been found to have provided substandard quality of care, the Secretary shall (regardless of what other remedies are provided)—

(i) impose the remedy described in subparagraph (B)(i), and

(ii) monitor the facility under subsection (g)(4)(B),

until the facility has demonstrated, to the satisfaction of the Secretary, that it is in compliance with the requirements of subsections (b), (c), and (d), and that it will remain in compliance with such requirements.

(3) Effective period of denial of payment

(4) Immediate termination of participation for facility where Secretary finds noncompliance and immediate jeopardy

(5) Construction

(6) Sharing of information

(i) Nursing Home Compare website

(1) Inclusion of additional information

(A) In generalThe Secretary shall ensure that the Department of Health and Human Services includes, as part of the information provided for comparison of nursing homes on the official Internet website of the Federal Government for Medicare beneficiaries (commonly referred to as the “Nursing Home Compare” Medicare website) (or a successor website), the following information in a manner that is prominent, updated on a timely basis, easily accessible, readily understandable to consumers of long-term care services, and searchable:

(i) Staffing data for each facility (including resident census data and data on the hours of care provided per resident per day) based on data submitted under section 1320a–7j(g) of this title, including information on staffing turnover and tenure, in a format that is clearly understandable to consumers of long-term care services and allows such consumers to compare differences in staffing between facilities and State and national averages for the facilities. Such format shall include—(I) concise explanations of how to interpret the data (such as a plain English explanation of data reflecting “nursing home staff hours per resident day”);(II) differences in types of staff (such as training associated with different categories of staff);(III) the relationship between nurse staffing levels and quality of care; and(IV) an explanation that appropriate staffing levels vary based on patient case mix.

(ii) Links to State Internet websites with information regarding State survey and certification programs, links to Form 2567 State inspection reports (or a successor form) on such websites, information to guide consumers in how to interpret and understand such reports, and the facility plan of correction or other response to such report. Any such links shall be posted on a timely basis.

(iii) The standardized complaint form developed under section 1320a–7j(f) of this title, including explanatory material on what complaint forms are, how they are used, and how to file a complaint with the State survey and certification program and the State long-term care ombudsman program.

(iv) Summary information on the number, type, severity, and outcome of substantiated complaints.

(v) The number of adjudicated instances of criminal violations by a facility or the employees of a facility—(I) that were committed inside the facility;(II) with respect to such instances of violations or crimes committed inside of the facility that were the violations or crimes of abuse, neglect, and exploitation, criminal sexual abuse, or other violations or crimes that resulted in serious bodily injury; and

(III)8

8 So in original. Probably should be cl. (vi).

the number of civil monetary penalties levied against the facility, employees, contractors, and other agents.

(B) Deadline for provision of information

(i) In general

(ii) Exception

(2) Review and modification of website

(A) In generalThe Secretary shall establish a process—

(i) to review the accuracy, clarity of presentation, timeliness, and comprehensiveness of information reported on such website as of the day before March 23, 2010; and

(ii) not later than 1 year after March 23, 2010, to modify or revamp such website in accordance with the review conducted under clause (i).

(B) ConsultationIn conducting the review under subparagraph (A)(i), the Secretary shall consult with—

(i) State long-term care ombudsman programs;

(ii) consumer advocacy groups;

(iii) provider stakeholder groups; and

(iv) any other representatives of programs or groups the Secretary determines appropriate.

(3) Funding

(j) Construction

(k) Funding for strike teams

(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1819, as added and amended Pub. L. 100–203, title IV, §§ 4201(a)(3), 4202(a)(2), 4203(a)(2), 4206, Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–160, 1330–175, 1330–179, 1330–182; Pub. L. 100–360, title IV, § 411(l)(1)(A), (2)(A)–(D), (F)–(L)(i), (4), (5), (7), (11), July 1, 1988, 102 Stat. 800–805, as amended Pub. L. 100–485, title VI, § 608(d)(27)(A), (C), (D), (I), (L), Oct. 13, 1988, 102 Stat. 2422, 2423; Pub. L. 101–239, title VI, § 6901(b)(1), (3), (d)(4), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2298, 2301; Pub. L. 101–508, title IV, §§ 4008(h)(1)(B)–(F)(i), (G), (2)(B)–(N), (m)(3)(F)[(E)], 4206(d)(1), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–46 to 1388–50, 1388–54, 1388–116; Pub. L. 102–375, title VII, § 708(a)(1)(A), Sept. 30, 1992, 106 Stat. 1291; Pub. L. 103–432, title I, §§ 106(c)(1)(A), (2)(A), (3)(A), (4)(A), (B), (d)(1)–(5), 110(b), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4406–4408; Pub. L. 105–15, § 1, May 15, 1997, 111 Stat. 34; Pub. L. 105–33, title IV, §§ 4432(b)(5)(A), 4755(a), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 421, 526; Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(6) [title IX, § 941(a)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–585; Pub. L. 108–173, title VII, § 736(a)(8), title IX, § 932(c)(2), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2355, 2401; Pub. L. 111–148, title VI, §§ 6101(c)(1)(A), 6103(a)(1), (2)(A), (3), (c)(1), 6111(a), 6113(b), 6121(a), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 702, 704, 706, 709, 713, 719, 720; Pub. L. 113–185, § 2(c)(4)(B), Oct. 6, 2014, 128 Stat. 1966; Pub. L. 117–2, title IX, § 9402, Mar. 11, 2021, 135 Stat. 127.)

§ 1395i–3a. Protecting residents of long-term care facilities

(1) National Training Institute for surveyors

(A) In general

(B) Activities carried out by the InstituteThe contract entered into under subparagraph (A) shall require the Institute established and operated under such contract to carry out the following activities:

(i) Assess the extent to which State agencies use specialized surveyors for the investigation of reported allegations of abuse, neglect, and misappropriation of property in such programs and long-term care facilities.

(ii) Evaluate how the competencies of surveyors may be improved to more effectively investigate reported allegations of such abuse, neglect, and misappropriation of property, and provide feedback to Federal and State agencies on the evaluations conducted.

(iii) Provide a national program of training, tools, and technical assistance to Federal and State surveyors on investigating reports of such abuse, neglect, and misappropriation of property.

(iv) Develop and disseminate information on best practices for the investigation of such abuse, neglect, and misappropriation of property.

(v) Assess the performance of State complaint intake systems, in order to ensure that the intake of complaints occurs 24 hours per day, 7 days a week (including holidays).

(vi) To the extent approved by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, provide a national 24 hours per day, 7 days a week (including holidays), back-up system to State complaint intake systems in order to ensure optimum national responsiveness to complaints of such abuse, neglect, and misappropriation of property.

(vii) Analyze and report annually on the following:(I) The total number and sources of complaints of such abuse, neglect, and misappropriation of property.(II) The extent to which such complaints are referred to law enforcement agencies.(III) General results of Federal and State investigations of such complaints.

(viii) Conduct a national study of the cost to State agencies of conducting complaint investigations of skilled nursing facilities and nursing facilities under sections 1819 and 1919, respectively, of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395i–3; 1396r), and making recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services with respect to options to increase the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of such investigations.

(2) Grants to State survey agencies

(A) In general

(B) Use of fundsA grant awarded under subparagraph (A) shall be used for the purpose of designing and implementing complaint investigations systems that—

(i) promptly prioritize complaints in order to ensure a rapid response to the most serious and urgent complaints;

(ii) respond to complaints with optimum effectiveness and timeliness; and

(iii) optimize the collaboration between local authorities, consumers, and providers, including—(I) such State agency;(II) the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman;(III) local law enforcement agencies;(IV) advocacy and consumer organizations;(V) State aging units;(VI) Area Agencies on Aging; and(VII) other appropriate entities.

(Pub. L. 111–148, title VI, § 6703(b)(1), (2), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 798, 799.)

§ 1395i–4. Medicare rural hospital flexibility program

(a) Establishment

(b) ApplicationA State may establish a medicare rural hospital flexibility program described in subsection (c) if the State submits to the Secretary at such time and in such form as the Secretary may require an application containing—

(1) assurances that the State—

(A) has developed, or is in the process of developing, a State rural health care plan that—

(i) provides for the creation of 1 or more rural health networks (as defined in subsection (d)) in the State;

(ii) promotes regionalization of rural health services in the State; and

(iii) improves access to hospital and other health services for rural residents of the State; and

(B) has developed the rural health care plan described in subparagraph (A) in consultation with the hospital association of the State, rural hospitals located in the State, and the State Office of Rural Health (or, in the case of a State in the process of developing such plan, that assures the Secretary that the State will consult with its State hospital association, rural hospitals located in the State, and the State Office of Rural Health in developing such plan);

(2) assurances that the State has designated (consistent with the rural health care plan described in paragraph (1)(A)), or is in the process of so designating, rural nonprofit or public hospitals or facilities located in the State as critical access hospitals; and

(3) such other information and assurances as the Secretary may require.

(1) In generalA State that has submitted an application in accordance with subsection (b), may establish a medicare rural hospital flexibility program that provides that—

(A) the State shall develop at least 1 rural health network (as defined in subsection (d)) in the State; and

(B) at least 1 facility in the State shall be designated as a critical access hospital in accordance with paragraph (2).

(2) State designation of facilities

(A) In general

(B) Criteria for designation as critical access hospitalA State may designate a facility as a critical access hospital if the facility—

(i) is a hospital that is located in a county (or equivalent unit of local government) in a rural area (as defined in section 1395ww(d)(2)(D) of this title) or is treated as being located in a rural area pursuant to section 1395ww(d)(8)(E) of this title, and that—(I) is located more than a 35-mile drive (or, in the case of mountainous terrain or in areas with only secondary roads available, a 15-mile drive) from a hospital, or another facility described in this subsection; or(II) is certified before January 1, 2006, by the State as being a necessary provider of health care services to residents in the area;

(ii) makes available 24-hour emergency care services that a State determines are necessary for ensuring access to emergency care services in each area served by a critical access hospital;

(iii) provides not more than 25 acute care inpatient beds (meeting such standards as the Secretary may establish) for providing inpatient care for a period that does not exceed, as determined on an annual, average basis, 96 hours per patient;

(iv) meets such staffing requirements as would apply under section 1395x(e) of this title to a hospital located in a rural area, except that—(I) the facility need not meet hospital standards relating to the number of hours during a day, or days during a week, in which the facility must be open and fully staffed, except insofar as the facility is required to make available emergency care services as determined under clause (ii) and must have nursing services available on a 24-hour basis, but need not otherwise staff the facility except when an inpatient is present;(II) the facility may provide any services otherwise required to be provided by a full-time, on site dietitian, pharmacist, laboratory technician, medical technologist, and radiological technologist on a part-time, off site basis under arrangements as defined in section 1395x(w)(1) of this title; and(III) the inpatient care described in clause (iii) may be provided by a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist subject to the oversight of a physician who need not be present in the facility; and

(v) meets the requirements of section 1395x(aa)(2)(I) of this title.

(i) was a hospital that ceased operations on or after the date that is 10 years before November 29, 1999; and

(ii) as of the effective date of such designation, meets the criteria for designation under subparagraph (B).

(D) Downsized facilitiesA State may designate a health clinic or a health center (as defined by the State) as a critical access hospital if such clinic or center—

(i) is licensed by the State as a health clinic or a health center;

(ii) was a hospital that was downsized to a health clinic or health center; and

(iii) as of the effective date of such designation, meets the criteria for designation under subparagraph (B).

(E) Authority to establish psychiatric and rehabilitation distinct part units

(i) In generalSubject to the succeeding provisions of this subparagraph, a critical access hospital may establish—(I) a psychiatric unit of the hospital that is a distinct part of the hospital; and(II) a rehabilitation unit of the hospital that is a distinct part of the hospital,

if the distinct part meets the requirements (including conditions of participation) that would otherwise apply to the distinct part if the distinct part were established by a subsection (d) hospital in accordance with the matter following clause (v) 1

1 See References in Text note below.

of section 1395ww(d)(1)(B) of this title, including any regulations adopted by the Secretary under such section.

(ii) Limitation on number of beds

(iii) Exclusion of beds from bed count

(iv) Effect of failure to meet requirements

(d) “Rural health network” defined

(1) In generalIn this section, the term “rural health network” means, with respect to a State, an organization consisting of—

(A) at least 1 facility that the State has designated or plans to designate as a critical access hospital; and

(B) at least 1 hospital that furnishes acute care services.

(2) Agreements

(A) In general

(B) Items describedThe items described in this subparagraph are the following:

(i) Patient referral and transfer.

(ii) The development and use of communications systems including (where feasible)—(I) telemetry systems; and(II) systems for electronic sharing of patient data.

(iii) The provision of emergency and non-emergency transportation among the facility and the hospital.

(C) Credentialing and quality assuranceEach critical access hospital that is a member of a rural health network shall have an agreement with respect to credentialing and quality assurance with at least—

(i) 1 hospital that is a member of the network;

(ii) 1 peer review organization or equivalent entity; or

(iii) 1 other appropriate and qualified entity identified in the State rural health care plan.

(e) Certification by SecretaryThe Secretary shall certify a facility as a critical access hospital if the facility—

(1) is located in a State that has established a medicare rural hospital flexibility program in accordance with subsection (c);

(2) is designated as a critical access hospital by the State in which it is located; and

(3) meets such other criteria as the Secretary may require.

(f) Permitting maintenance of swing beds

(g) Grants

(1) Medicare rural hospital flexibility programThe Secretary may award grants to States that have submitted applications in accordance with subsection (b) for—

(A) engaging in activities relating to planning and implementing a rural health care plan;

(B) engaging in activities relating to planning and implementing rural health networks;

(D) providing support for critical access hospitals for quality improvement, quality reporting, performance improvements, and benchmarking.

(2) Rural emergency medical services

(A) In general

(B) Application

(3) Upgrading data systems

(A) Grants to hospitals

(B) Eligible small rural hospital definedFor purposes of this paragraph, the term “eligible small rural hospital” means a non-Federal, short-term general acute care hospital that—

(i) is located in a rural area (as defined for purposes of section 1395ww(d) of this title); and

(ii) has less than 50 beds.

(D) Amount of grant

(E) Use of funds

(F) Reports

(i) Information

(ii) Timing of submission(I) Interim reports(II) Final report

(4) Additional requirements with respect to FLEX grantsWith respect to grants awarded under paragraph (1) or (2) from funds appropriated for fiscal year 2005 and subsequent fiscal years—

(A) Consultation with the state hospital association and rural hospitals on the most appropriate ways to use grants

(B) Limitation on use of grant funds for administrative expensesA State may not expend more than the lesser of—

(i) 15 percent of the amount of the grant for administrative expenses; or

(ii) the State’s federally negotiated indirect rate for administering the grant.

(5) Use of funds for Federal administrative expenses

(6) Providing mental health services and other health services to veterans and other residents of rural areas

(A) Grants to States

(B) Application

(i) In general

(ii) Consideration of regional approaches, networks, or technology

(iii) Coordination at local level

(iv) Special consideration of certain applications

(D) Use of funds

(E) Limitation on use of grant funds for administrative expenses

(F) Independent evaluation and final report

(7) Critical access hospitals transitioning to skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities

(A) Grants

(B) Application

(C) Additional requirementsThe Secretary may not award a grant under this paragraph to an eligible critical access hospital unless—

(i) local organizations or the State in which the hospital is located provides matching funds; and

(ii) the hospital provides assurances that it will surrender critical access hospital status under this subchapter within 180 days of receiving the grant.

(D) Amount of grant

(E) Funding

(F) Eligible critical access hospital defined

(h) Grandfathering provisions

(1) In general

(2) Continuation of medical assistance facility and rural primary care hospital terms

(3) State authority to waive 35-mile rule

(i) Waiver of conflicting part A provisions

(j) Authorization of appropriations

(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1820, as added Pub. L. 101–239, title VI, § 6003(g)(1)(A), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2145; amended Pub. L. 101–508, title IV, § 4008(d)(1)–(3), (m)(2)(B), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–44, 1388–45, 1388–53; Pub. L. 103–432, title I, § 102(a)(1), (2), (b)(1)(A), (2), (c), (f), (h), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4401–4404; Pub. L. 105–33, title IV, §§ 4002(f)(1), 4201(a), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 329, 369; Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(6) [title III, § 321(a), title IV, §§ 401(b)(2), 403(a)(1), (b), (c), 409], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A–365, 1501A–369, 1501A–370, 1501A–375; Pub. L. 108–173, title I, § 101(e)(1), title IV, § 405(e)(1), (2), (f), (g)(1), (h), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2150, 2267–2269; Pub. L. 110–275, title I, § 121, July 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 2511; Pub. L. 111–148, title III, § 3129(a), (b), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 426.)

§ 1395i–5. Conditions for coverage of religious nonmedical health care institutional services

(a) In generalSubject to subsections (c) and (d), payment under this part may be made for inpatient hospital services or post-hospital extended care services furnished an individual in a religious nonmedical health care institution and for home health services furnished an individual by a religious nonmedical health care institution only if—

(1) the individual has an election in effect for such benefits under subsection (b); and

(2) the individual has a condition such that the individual would qualify for benefits under this part for inpatient hospital services, extended care services, or home health services, respectively, if the individual were an inpatient or resident in a hospital or skilled nursing facility, or receiving services from a home health agency, that was not such an institution.

(b) Election

(1) In general

(2) FormThe election form under this subsection shall include the following:

(A) A written statement, signed by the individual (or such individual’s legal representative), that—

(i) the individual is conscientiously opposed to acceptance of nonexcepted medical treatment; and

(ii) the individual’s acceptance of nonexcepted medical treatment would be inconsistent with the individual’s sincere religious beliefs.

(B) A statement that the receipt of nonexcepted medical services shall constitute a revocation of the election and may limit further receipt of services described in subsection (a).

(3) Revocation

(4) Limitation on subsequent electionsOnce an individual’s election under this subsection has been made and revoked twice—

(A) the next election may not become effective until the date that is 1 year after the date of most recent previous revocation, and

(B) any succeeding election may not become effective until the date that is 5 years after the date of the most recent previous revocation.

(5) Excepted medical treatmentFor purposes of this subsection:

(A) Excepted medical treatmentThe term “excepted medical treatment” means medical care or treatment (including medical and other health services)—

(i) received involuntarily,

(ii) required under Federal or State law or law of a political subdivision of a State, or

(iii) effective beginning on December 29, 2022, that is a COVID–19 vaccine and its administration described in section 1395x(s)(10)(A) of this title.

(B) Nonexcepted medical treatment

(1) Estimate of expenditures

(2) Adjustment in payments

(A) Proportional adjustment

(B) Alternative adjustments

(i) In general

(ii) Unadjusted trigger levelThe “unadjusted trigger level” for—(I) fiscal year 1998, is $20,000,000, or(II) a succeeding fiscal year is the amount specified under this clause for the previous fiscal year increased by the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (all items; United States city average) for the 12-month period ending with July preceding the beginning of the fiscal year.

(D) Prohibition of administrative and judicial review

(E) Effect on billing

(3) Monitoring expenditure level

(A) In general

(B) Adjustment in trigger level

(i) In general

(ii) Limitation on carryforward

(d) Sunset

(e) Annual reportAt the beginning of each fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 1999), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate an annual report on coverage and expenditures for services described in subsection (a) under this part and under State plans under subchapter XIX. Such report shall include—

(1) level of expenditures described in subsection (c)(1) for the previous fiscal year and estimated for the fiscal year involved;

(2) trends in such level; and

(3) facts and circumstances of any significant change in such level from the level in previous fiscal years.

(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1821, as added Pub. L. 105–33, title IV, § 4454(a)(2), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 428; amended Pub. L. 108–173, title VII, § 706(a), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2339; Pub. L. 117–328, div. FF, title IV, § 4138(a), Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5925.)

§ 1395i–6. Hospice program survey and enforcement procedures

(a) Surveys

(1) Frequency

(2) Public transparency of survey and certification information

(A) Submission of information to the Secretary

(i) In general

(ii) Required inclusion of specified form

(B) Public disclosure of information

(3) Consistency of surveys

(4) Survey teams

(A) In general

(B) Prohibition of conflicts of interest

(5) Funding

(b) Special focus program

(1) In general

(2) Periodic surveys

(1) Situations involving immediate jeopardy

(2) Situations not involving immediate jeopardy

(3) Penalty for previous noncompliance

(4) Option to continue payments for noncompliant hospice programs

The Secretary may continue payments under this subchapter with respect to a hospice program not in compliance with the requirements specified in section 1395x(dd) of this title over a period of not longer than 6 months, if—

(A) the State or local survey agency finds that it is more appropriate to take alternative action to assure compliance of the program with such requirements than to terminate the certification of the program;

(B) the program has submitted a plan and timetable for corrective action to the Secretary for approval and the Secretary approves the plan of corrective action; and

(C) the program agrees to repay to the Federal Government payments received under this subchapter during such period if the corrective action is not taken in accordance with the approved plan and timetable.

The Secretary shall establish guidelines for approval of corrective actions requested by hospice programs under this paragraph.

(5) Remedies

(A) Development

(i) In general

Not later than October 1, 2022, the Secretary shall develop and implement—

(I) a range of remedies to apply to hospice programs under the conditions described in paragraphs (1) through (4); and(II) appropriate procedures for appealing determinations relating to the imposition of such remedies.

Remedies developed pursuant to the preceding sentence shall include the remedies specified in subparagraph (B).

(ii) Conditions of imposition of remedies

(B) Specified remedies

The remedies specified in this subparagraph are the following:

(i) Civil money penalties in an amount not to exceed $10,000 for each day of noncompliance by a hospice program with the requirements specified in section 1395x(dd) of this title.

(ii) Suspension of all or part of the payments to which a hospice program would otherwise be entitled under this subchapter with respect to items and services furnished by a hospice program on or after the date on which the Secretary determines that remedies should be imposed pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2).

(iii) The appointment of temporary management to oversee the operation of the hospice program and to protect and assure the health and safety of the individuals under the care of the program while improvements are made in order to bring the program into compliance with all such requirements.

(i) Civil money penalties(I) In general(II) Retention of amounts for hospice program improvements

(ii) Suspension of payment

(iii) Temporary management

(D) Relationship to other remedies

(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XVIII, § 1822, as added Pub. L. 116–260, div. CC, title IV, § 407(a)(1), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 3003.)