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Rural Hospital Relief: No More 96-Hour Doctor Certification

This act removes the requirement for a physician to certify a patient's inpatient stay at a Critical Access Hospital within 96 hours. This means less paperwork for these rural hospitals, potentially leading to more efficient healthcare for rural residents. The changes will take effect on January 1, 2026.
Key points
Rural hospital relief: The 96-hour physician certification requirement for inpatient services is eliminated.
Reduced bureaucracy: Critical Access Hospitals will face less administrative burden related to Medicare billing.
Patient impact: This could streamline hospital processes, potentially improving access to care.
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Introduced
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Additional Information
Print number: 119_HR_538
Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Adrian [R-NE-3]
Process start date: 2025-01-16