50.56 Applicability.

(1) Any of the following facilities or entities is not required to obtain licensure or a certificate of approval under the following statutes or to pay license fees under the following statutes if all of the services of the facility or entity are provided as a part of a rural medical center that holds a valid license under this subchapter:

(a) A hospital, under ss. 50.135 (2) (a) and (b) and 50.35.

(b) A nursing home, under ss. 50.03 (1) and 50.135 (2) (a) and (b).

(c) A hospice, under ss. 50.92 (1) and 50.93 (1) (c).

(d) A home health agency, under s. 50.49 (2) (b) and (8).

(2) Subsection (1) may not be construed to apply to limit the authority of the department to develop, establish or enforce any statutes and rules for the care, treatment, health, safety, rights, welfare and comfort of patients or residents of facilities or entities that are specified in sub. (1) (a) to (d) and for the construction, general hygiene, maintenance or operation of those facilities or entities.

(3) Notwithstanding sub. (2), insofar as a conflict exists between this subchapter, or the rules promulgated under this subchapter, and subch. I, II or VI, or the rules promulgated under subch. I, II or VI, the provisions of this subchapter and the rules promulgated under this subchapter control.

(4) This subchapter may not be construed to limit a health care service that is included in a rural medical center from any tax-exempt financing or reimbursement, insurance, payment for services or other advantage for which a health care service that is not included in a rural medical center is eligible.

History: 1995 a. 98; 1997 a. 27, 237; 2015 a. 265.