Sec. 21567.

(1) The department shall designate an eligible hospital as a rural primary care hospital in order to qualify the facility for the essential access community hospital program, under section 1820(f) of title XVIII of the social security act, 42 U.S.C. 1395i-4.

(2) To be eligible for designation as a rural primary care hospital, a hospital shall meet all of the following requirements:

(a) Be located outside of a metropolitan statistical area, as defined by the United States office of management and budget.

(b) Make available 24-hour emergency services.

(c) Provide no more than 6 inpatient beds for providing inpatient care for a period not to exceed 72 hours to patients requiring stabilization before discharge or transfer to a hospital.

(d) Have a transfer agreement with at least an essential access community hospital designated under section 21566.

(e) Meet other requirements established by the department and approved by the secretary of health and human services.

(f) Be a nonprofit or public hospital.

(3) The department shall indicate preferential designation under this section for an eligible hospital that is located more than 30 minutes travel time away from the next closest hospital.

(4) The department may modify the requirements of subsection (2) in order to conform with changes in the federal requirements, or possible waivers, as provided in federal law or regulation for the designation of a rural primary care hospital.

History: Add. 1990, Act 252, Imd. Eff. Oct. 12, 1990 Popular Name: Act 368