H.R. 10293
Rural Emergency Hospital Designation Improvement Act
Summary:
• Amends the Social Security Act to expand eligibility for rural emergency hospital (REH) designation by broadening the qualifying timeframe and requiring the Secretary to create a waiver process for facilities that operate similarly to an REH
• Expands what REHs may maintain or include, such as inpatient psychiatric units, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, obstetric units, and swing bed agreements for extended care services, while also adding a 5% payment increase for diagnostic laboratory tests furnished by REHs on or after January 1, 2027
• Extends additional benefits to REHs including: eligibility for Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program grants, inclusion of REH services under Medicaid, designation as health professional shortage areas for National Health Service Corps purposes, and a pathway for REHs reverting to critical access hospital status to regain necessary provider designation
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• Expands what REHs may maintain or include, such as inpatient psychiatric units, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, obstetric units, and swing bed agreements for extended care services, while also adding a 5% payment increase for diagnostic laboratory tests furnished by REHs on or after January 1, 2027
• Extends additional benefits to REHs including: eligibility for Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program grants, inclusion of REH services under Medicaid, designation as health professional shortage areas for National Health Service Corps purposes, and a pathway for REHs reverting to critical access hospital status to regain necessary provider designation
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