HRSA Begins Enrolling Newly Eligible Hospitals In 340B
The Health Resources and Services Administration is accepting applications from critical access hospitals, sole community hospitals and other entities newly eligible to participate in the 340B discount program for outpatient drugs. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act extends the program to critical access and sole community hospitals, rural referral centers, and certain children's and cancer hospitals. Interested parties can sign up to receive e-mail updates on the PPACA’s 340B provisions at pssc.aphanet.org/noticeaca.asp.
CMS Issues Revised Guidelines For CAH Observation Beds
In a recent transmittal, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services made substantial changes to the way beds are counted against the 25-bed maximum for a critical access hospital. Under the new changes, a CAH can maintain beds used solely for outpatient observation services without counting them toward the statutory maximum of 25 inpatient beds.