Bill > S2628

This bill establishes a new payment designation for certain long-term care hospitals that specialize in treating patients with spinal cord injuries or acquired brain injuries under Medicare. Specifically, a hospital can be designated as a "catastrophic specialty hospital" if it meets several specific criteria, including having at least 80% of its discharges related to spinal cord or brain injuries, offering a comprehensive continuum of care, maintaining at least 175 discharges in each of those specialty areas per year, admitting at least 30% of patients from outside its home state, and demonstrating commitment to neurorehabilitation research through activities like employing dedicated research personnel, publishing in peer-reviewed journals, maintaining clinical training programs, or having medical residency programs in neurology or rehabilitation. Once designated, these hospitals will receive Medicare payments without being subject to standard long-term care hospital payment systems for a three-year period, with the possibility of redesignation if they continue to meet the established criteria. The bill aims to provide specialized financial support for hospitals that focus intensively on rehabilitation and treatment of severe neurological injuries.

Budget and Finance

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2628/all-info