Lifts Doctor Approval Requirement for Hospitals

Critical Access Hospital Relief Act of 2025This bill repeals the 96-hour physician-certification requirement for inpatient critical access hospital services under Medicare. Under current law, as a condition for Medicare payment for such services, a physician must certify that a patient may reasonably be expected to be discharged or transferred to a hospital within 96 hours after admission to the critical access hospital.

1. This bill removes the need for a doctor to certify a patient's stay in a critical access hospital for 96 hours. 2. The change applies to inpatient services starting January 1, 2026. 3. Critical access hospitals can provide care without the lengthy certification process. 4. Patients may experience faster admissions and less administrative delay in receiving care. 5. This bill aims to improve healthcare access in rural areas.

This bill primarily affects patients in rural areas who rely on critical access hospitals for medical services.