S. 2628: Catastrophic Specialty Hospital Act of 2025

This bill, titled the "Catastrophic Specialty Hospital Act of 2025," aims to change how certain long-term care hospitals are paid under the Medicare program. It specifically addresses hospitals designated as "catastrophic specialty hospitals," which are expected to focus on treating patients with spinal cord injuries or acquired brain injuries.

Key Changes Introduced by the Bill

• New Payment System: The bill proposes that for cost reporting periods starting after the bill becomes law, a different payment system will apply to designated catastrophic specialty hospitals as opposed to the existing system.
• Criteria for Designation: The Secretary of Health and Human Services will develop criteria to designate a long-term care hospital as a catastrophic specialty hospital. To qualify, a hospital must meet specific requirements over a three-year period, including:
• At least 80% of discharges must relate to spinal cord injury or acquired brain injury.
• The hospital must provide a full range of care, including inpatient and outpatient services, focused on long-term health for these injuries.
• During the relevant periods, the hospital must have had at least 175 discharges for patients with spinal cord injuries and 175 discharges for those with acquired brain injuries.
• At least 30% of inpatients must have been admitted from outside the state where the hospital is located.
• The hospital must demonstrate a commitment to neurorehabilitation research, including employing research personnel and publishing findings.
• Length of Designation: Once a hospital is designated as a catastrophic specialty hospital, this status will last for three years, with the Secretary reassessing compliance before the designation can be renewed.

Further Details

The bill aims to enhance care and payment structures specifically for hospitals that cater to patients with these specialized needs. By establishing new payment rules, it seeks to support hospitals that are dedicated to advancing treatment and research in the fields of spinal cord and acquired brain injury care.

Relevant Companies

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