I
119THCONGRESS
1
STSESSION H. R. 538
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to remove the 96-hour
physician certification requirement for inpatient critical access hospital
services.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JANUARY16, 2025
Mr. S
MITHof Nebraska (for himself and Ms. SEWELL) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means
A BILL
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to remove
the 96-hour physician certification requirement for inpa-
tient critical access hospital services.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-1
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 2
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 3
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Critical Access Hos-4
pital Relief Act of 2025’’. 5
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•HR 538 IH
SEC. 2. REMOVING MEDICARE 96-HOUR PHYSICIAN CER-1
TIFICATION REQUIREMENT FOR INPATIENT 2
CRITICAL ACCESS HOSPITAL SERVICES. 3
(a) I
NGENERAL.—Section 1814(a) of the Social Se-4
curity Act (42 U.S.C. 1395f(a)) is amended— 5
(1) in paragraph (6), by adding ‘‘and’’ at the 6
end; 7
(2) in paragraph (7), at the end of subpara-8
graph (E), by striking ‘‘; and’’ and inserting a pe-9
riod; and 10
(3) by striking paragraph (8). 11
(b) A
PPLICATION.—The amendments made by sub-12
section (a) shall apply with respect to items and services 13
furnished on or after January 1, 2026. 14
Æ
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