The bill would create an optional Medicare payment for eligible hospitals that support residents training in rural locations. For most eligible residents, the payment would make up the difference between a set per-resident amount and certain direct training payments the hospital already receives. Hospitals could qualify when a resident spends at least eight weeks training in a rural location and the hospital pays the resident’s salary and benefits. Rural-focused programs or tracks with more than half of training time in rural locations could qualify for payment for all training time. The bill would also change how some resident limits apply and let critical access hospitals choose how resident time is counted.
Hospitals could elect to receive these payments for qualifying rural residency training, beginning with cost reporting periods starting at least one year after enactment. The bill does not provide a direct payment to residents or patients.
The bill requires total Medicare payments for direct and indirect medical education costs to be no higher than they would have been without this program. The Secretary could adjust other training payments to meet that requirement. No publicly available information.
The bill’s stated aim is to support rural residency training funding that is equitable for all States. No publicly available information about other proponents’ views.
No publicly available information.