[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 42, Volume 2]
[Revised as of October 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 42CFR403.720]

[Page 53-54]
 
                         TITLE 42--PUBLIC HEALTH
 
                             HUMAN SERVICES
 
PART 403--SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS--Table of Contents
 
  Subpart G--Religious Nonmedical Health Care Institutions--Benefits, 
                Conditions of Participation, and Payment
 
Sec. 403.720  Conditions for coverage.

    Medicare covers services furnished in an RNHCI if the following 
conditions are met:
    (a) The provider meets the definition of an RNHCI as defined in 
section 1861(ss)(1) of the Act. That is, it is an institution that:
    (1) Is described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code 
of 1986 and is exempt from taxes under section 501(a).
    (2) Is lawfully operated under all applicable Federal, State, and 
local laws and regulations.
    (3) Furnishes only nonmedical nursing items and services to 
beneficiaries who choose to rely solely upon a religious method of 
healing and for whom the acceptance of medical services would be 
inconsistent with their religious beliefs.
    (4) Furnishes nonmedical items and services exclusively through 
nonmedical nursing personnel who are experienced in caring for the 
physical needs of nonmedical patients.
    (5) Furnishes nonmedical items and services to inpatients on a 24-
hour basis.
    (6) Does not furnish, on the basis of religious beliefs, through its 
personnel or otherwise medical items and services (including any medical 
screening, examination, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, or the 
administration of drugs) for its patients.
    (7) Is not owned by, is not under common ownership with, or does not 
have an ownership interest of 5 percent or more in, a provider of 
medical treatment or services and is not affiliated with a provider of 
medical treatment or services or with an individual who has an ownership 
interest of 5 percent or more in, a provider of medical treatment or 
services. (Permissible affiliations are described at Sec. 403.738(c).)
    (8) Has in effect a utilization review plan that sets forth the 
following:
    (i) Provides for review of the admissions to the institution, the 
duration of stays, and the need for continuous extended duration of 
stays in the institution, and the items and services furnished by the 
institution.
    (ii) Requires that reviews be made by an appropriate committee of 
the institution that included the individuals responsible for overall 
administration and for supervision of nursing personnel at the 
institution.
    (iii) Provides that records be maintained of the meetings, 
decisions, and actions of the review committee.
    (iv) Meets other requirements as the Secretary finds necessary to 
establish an effective utilization review plan.
    (9) Provides information CMS may require to implement section 1821 
of the Act, including information relating to quality of care and 
coverage decisions.
    (10) Meets other requirements CMS finds necessary in the interest of 
the health and safety of the patients who receive services in the 
institution. These requirements are the conditions of participation in 
this subpart.
    (b) The provider meets the conditions of participation cited in 
Secs. 403.730 through 403.746. (A provider may be deemed to meet 
conditions of participation in accordance with part 488 of this 
chapter.)
    (c) The provider has a valid provider agreement as a hospital with 
CMS in accordance with part 489 of this chapter and for payment purposes 
is classified as an extended care hospital.
    (d) The beneficiary has a condition that would make him or her 
eligible to receive services covered under Medicare Part A as an 
inpatient in a hospital or SNF.

[[Page 54]]

    (e) The beneficiary has a valid election as described in 
Sec. 403.724 in effect for Medicare covered services furnished in an 
RNHCI.