[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 12, Volume 1] [Revised as of January 1, 2003] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 42CFR456.60] [Page 329-330] TITLE 42--PUBLIC HEALTH CHAPTER IV--CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES--(Continued) PART 456--UTILIZATION CONTROL--Table of Contents Subpart C--Utilization Control: Hospitals Sec. 456.60 Certification and recertification of need for inpatient care. (a) Certification. (1) A physician must certify for each applicant or recipient that inpatient services in a hospital are or were needed. (2) The certification must be made at the time of admission or, if an individual applies for assistance while in a hospital, before the Medicaid agency authorizes payment. (b) Recertification. (1) A physician, or physician assistant or nurse practitioner (as defined in Sec. 491.2 of this chapter) acting within the scope of practice as defined by State law and under the supervision of a physician, must recertify for each applicant or recipient that [[Page 330]] inpatient services in a hospital are needed. (2) Recertifications must be made at least every 60 days after certification. [46 FR 48561, Oct. 1, 1981] Plan of Care