Critical Access Hospital Relief Act of 2025This bill repeals the 96-hour physician-certification requirement for inpatient critical access hospital services under Medicare. Under current law, as a condition for Medicare payment for such services, a physician must certify that a patient may reasonably be expected to be discharged or transferred to a hospital within 96 hours after admission to the critical access hospital.
The removal of the 96-hour certification requirement is expected to facilitate quicker admissions and enhance the overall efficiency of services provided by critical access hospitals. This change is particularly significant for rural healthcare facilities that may struggle with staffing and administrative challenges. By alleviating these requirements, the bill aims to improve patient access to timely medical interventions, which can be critical for successful healthcare outcomes.
House Bill 538, formally known as the Critical Access Hospital Relief Act of 2025, seeks to amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act by eliminating the existing 96-hour physician certification requirement for inpatient services in critical access hospitals. The primary objective of this bill is to ease administrative burdens on healthcare providers, particularly those operating in rural areas, thereby streamlining the process necessary for patients to receive necessary hospital care without being hindered by certification delays.
Despite the benefits proposed by HB 538, the bill may also face scrutiny regarding the potential for increased healthcare costs and ramifications for quality control in patient care. Critics may argue that by reducing regulatory oversight, there might be a risk to patient safety and healthcare quality, prompting a debate about the balance between easing regulations and ensuring comprehensive patient care standards. Stakeholders might emphasize the need for measures that protect patients while also advocating for the operational ease sought by healthcare providers.