12 2 STA T . 2 5 15 PUBLIC LA W 11 0– 2 7 5 —J UL Y 15 , 200 8(1)Healthc a r e p r ovid er s i n eli g i b le co u nties selected to participate in the de m onstration pro j ect under subsection (d)( 3 ) shall ( w hen determined appropriate b y the S ecretary) , instead o f the payment rates otherwise applicable under the M edicare program, be reimbursed at a rate that covers at least the reasonable costs of the provider in furnishing acute care, e x tended care, and other essential health care services to Medi - care beneficiaries . ( 2 ) Methods to coordinate the survey and certification process under the Medicare program and the Medicaid program across all health service categories included in the demonstra- tion project shall be tested with the goal of assuring q uality and safety while reducing administrative burdens, as appro- priate, related to completing such survey and certification process. (3) Health care providers in eligible counties selected to participate in the demonstration project under subsection (d)(3) and the Secretary shall wor k with the State to explore ways to revise reimbursement policies under the Medicaid program to improve access to the range of health care services available in such eligible counties. ( 4 ) T he Secretary shall identify regulatory requirements that may be revised appropriately to improve access to care in eligible counties. ( 5 ) O ther essential health care services necessary to ensure access to the range of health care services in eligible counties selected to participate in the demonstration project under sub- section (d)(3) shall be identified. W ays to ensure adequate funding for such services shall also be explored. (d) AP P LICAT I ONPR OC ES S. — (1) E LI G I B ILIT Y .— (A) I N GENERAL.—Eligibility to participate in the dem- onstration project under this section shall be limited to eligible entities. ( B ) ELIGIBLE ENTITY D E F INED.—In this section, the term ‘ ‘eligible entity ’ ’ means an entity that— (i)isa R ural Hospital F lexibility Program grantee under section 1 8 2 0 (g) of the Social Security Act (42 U .S. C .13 9 5i – 4(g))
and (ii) is located in a State in which at least 6 5 percent of the counties in the State are counties that have 6 or less residents per square mile. (2) APPLICATION.— (A) IN GENERAL.—An eligible entity seeking to partici- pate in the demonstration project under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Sec- retary may require. (B) L I M ITATION.—The Secretary shall select eligible entities located in not more than 4 States to participate in the demonstration project under this section. (3) SELECTION OF ELIGIBLE CO U NTIES.—An eligible entity selected by the Secretary to participate in the demonstration project under this section shall select not more than 6 eligible counties in the State in which the entity is located in which to conduct the demonstration project.
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