Introduced Regarding 96-Hour Certification

Representative Adrian Smith (R-NE) has introduced the Critical Access Hospital Relief Act (H.R. 3991). This bill, which is cosponsored by Representatives Lynn Jenkins (R-KS), Greg Walden (R-OR), and David Loebsack (D-IA), would eliminate the current Condition of Payment requirement that physicians at Critical Access Hospitals certify, at the time of admission, that Medicare and Medicaid patients will not be at the facility for more than 96 hours. The legislation would not remove the requirement that CAHs maintain an average annual length of stay of 96 hours, nor affect other certification requirements for hospitals.