Critical Access Hospital Relief Act of 2025

Bill 119 HR 538 aims to make a change to title XVIII of the Social Security Act by eliminating the 96-hour physician certification requirement for inpatient critical access hospital services. Currently, critical access hospitals are required to have a physician certify that a patient will need hospital care for at least 96 hours in order to qualify for Medicare reimbursement. This bill seeks to remove this requirement, allowing critical access hospitals more flexibility in providing care to patients without the burden of meeting a specific time frame.

The bill is intended to streamline the process for critical access hospitals and improve access to care for patients in rural areas. By removing the 96-hour certification requirement, hospitals will be able to admit and treat patients based on medical necessity rather than arbitrary time constraints. This change is expected to benefit both hospitals and patients by reducing administrative burdens and ensuring that patients receive the care they need in a timely manner.

Overall, Bill 119 HR 538 is a non-partisan effort to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of critical access hospital services. It is a step towards ensuring that all patients, regardless of their location, have access to high-quality healthcare.