During a Committee on Ways and Means hearing, Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) asked Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius to explain the reasoning behind and effectiveness of the 96-hour rule and physician supervision requirements at Critical Access Hospitals. Congressman Smith has introduced legislation to address both regulations which threaten access to health care services in rural America.
Referring to the 96-hour rule and physician supervision requirements, Congressman Smith asked, “Have these saved money? Can you point to the effectiveness of these things?... These are examples I hope we can avoid of the federal government standing between a patient and his or her provider.”
Secretary Sebelius was unable to answer Congressman Smith’s questions, but offered to get more information.
The 96-hour rule requires physicians at rural hospitals to certify Medicare and Medicaid patients will not be at the hospital for more than 96 hours. Otherwise, the hospital must transfer the patient to a more distant facility at the cost of taxpayers, or face non-reimbursement.
Last month, Congressman Smith introduced H.R. 3991, the Critical Access Hospital Relief Act to repeal the 96-hour rule.
Physician supervision rules require a doctor’s presence and supervision over nearly all routine procedures administered in hospitals. While these requirements are less of a challenge for large hospitals, they can be very problematic in areas with few doctors.
In December, Congressman Smith introduced H.R. 3769 to delay these rules for Critical Access Hospitals for at least one year, and until the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services completes an analysis of their impacts.
Secretary Sebelius was unable to answer Congressman Smith’s questions, but offered to get more information.
The 96-hour rule requires physicians at rural hospitals to certify Medicare and Medicaid patients will not be at the hospital for more than 96 hours. Otherwise, the hospital must transfer the patient to a more distant facility at the cost of taxpayers, or face non-reimbursement.
Last month, Congressman Smith introduced H.R. 3991, the Critical Access Hospital Relief Act to repeal the 96-hour rule.
Physician supervision rules require a doctor’s presence and supervision over nearly all routine procedures administered in hospitals. While these requirements are less of a challenge for large hospitals, they can be very problematic in areas with few doctors.
In December, Congressman Smith introduced H.R. 3769 to delay these rules for Critical Access Hospitals for at least one year, and until the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services completes an analysis of their impacts.
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