This bill modifies Medicare payment rules for specialized long-term care hospitals that focus on treating patients with spinal cord injuries and acquired brain injuries. Currently, these hospitals follow standard Medicare payment formulas, but this bill would allow qualifying hospitals to receive payments outside those standard formulas instead. To qualify as a "catastrophic specialty hospital," a facility must meet strict criteria: treat at least 80 percent of patients with these specific neurological injuries, maintain at least 175 discharges annually for each injury type over three years, offer comprehensive care including inpatient and outpatient services, draw at least 30 percent of patients from outside their state, and demonstrate commitment to neurorehabilitation research through staff, publications, or training programs. Once designated, hospitals receive this special payment status for three years and can seek redesignation if they continue meeting the requirements. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment and applies to all future cost reporting periods.
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