[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 42, Volume 2]
[Revised as of October 1, 2006]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 42CFR412.106]

[Page 526-530]
 
                         TITLE 42--PUBLIC HEALTH
 
                    CHAPTER IV--CENTERS FOR MEDICARE
                          & MEDICAID SERVICES,
                        DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
                             HUMAN SERVICES
 
PART 412_PROSPECTIVE PAYMENT SYSTEMS FOR INPATIENT HOSPITAL SERVICES--Table of Contents
 
Subpart G_Special Treatment of Certain Facilities Under the Prospective 
              Payment System for Inpatient Operating Costs
 
Sec.  412.106  Special treatment: Hospitals that serve a disproportionate 
share of low-income patients.

    (a) General considerations. (1) The factors considered in 
determining whether a hospital qualifies for a payment adjustment 
include the number of beds, the number of patient days, and the 
hospital's location.
    (i) The number of beds in a hospital is determined in accordance 
with Sec.  412.105(b).
    (ii) For purposes of this section, the number of patient days in a 
hospital includes only those days attributable to units or wards of the 
hospital providing acute care services generally payable under the 
prospective payment system and excludes patient days associated with--
    (A) Beds in excluded distinct part hospital units;
    (B) Beds otherwise countable under this section used for outpatient 
observation services, skilled nursing swing-bed services, or ancillary 
labor/delivery services. This exclusion would not apply if a patient 
treated in an observation bed is ultimately admitted for acute inpatient 
care, in which case the beds and days would be included in those counts;
    (C) Beds in a unit or ward that is not occupied to provide a level 
of care that would be payable under the acute care hospital inpatient 
prospective payment system at any time during the 3 preceding months 
(the beds in the unit or ward are to be excluded from the determination 
of available bed days during the current month); and
    (D) Beds in a unit or ward that is otherwise occupied (to provide a 
level of care that would be payable under the acute care hospital 
inpatient prospective payment system) that could not be made available 
for inpatient occupancy within 24 hours for 30 consecutive days.
    (iii) The hospital's location, in an urban or rural area, is 
determined in accordance with the definitions in Sec.  412.64, except 
that a reclassification that results from an urban hospital reclassified 
as rural as set forth in Sec.  412.103 is classified as rural.
    (2) The payment adjustment is applied to the hospital's DRG revenue 
for inpatient operating costs based on DRG-adjusted prospective payment 
rates for inpatient operating costs, excluding outlier payments for 
inpatient operating costs under subpart F of this part and additional 
payments made under the provisions of Sec.  412.105.
    (b) Determination of a hospital's disproportionate patient 
percentage--(1) General rule. A hospital's disproportionate patient 
percentage is determined by adding the results of two computations and 
expressing that sum as a percentage.
    (2) First computation: Federal fiscal year. For each month of the 
Federal fiscal year in which the hospital's cost reporting period 
begins, CMS--
    (i) Determines the number of patient days that--
    (A) Are associated with discharges occurring during each month; and
    (B) Are furnished to patients who during that month were entitled to 
both Medicare Part A and SSI, excluding those patients who received only 
State supplementation;

[[Page 527]]

    (ii) Adds the results for the whole period; and
    (iii) Divides the number determined under paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of 
this section by the total number of patient days that--
    (A) Are associated with discharges that occur during that period; 
and
    (B) Are furnished to patients entitled to Medicare Part A.
    (3) First computation: Cost reporting period. If a hospital prefers 
that CMS use its cost reporting period instead of the Federal fiscal 
year, it must furnish to CMS, through its intermediary, a written 
request including the hospital's name, provider number, and cost 
reporting period end date. This exception will be performed once per 
hospital per cost reporting period, and the resulting percentage becomes 
the hospital's official Medicare Part A/SSI percentage for that period.
    (4) Second computation. The fiscal intermediary determines, for the 
same cost reporting period used for the first computation, the number of 
the hospital's patient days of service for which patients were eligible 
for Medicaid but not entitled to Medicare Part A, and divides that 
number by the total number of patient days in the same period. For 
purposes of this second computation, the following requirements apply:
    (i) For purposes of this computation, a patient is deemed eligible 
for Medicaid on a given day only if the patient is eligible for 
inpatient hospital services under an approved State Medicaid plan or 
under a waiver authorized under section 1115(a)(2) of the Act on that 
day, regardless of whether particular items or services were covered or 
paid under the State plan or the authorized waiver.
    (ii) Effective with discharges occurring on or after January 20, 
2000, for purposes of counting days under paragraph (b)(4)(i) of this 
section, hospitals may include all days attributable to populations 
eligible for Title XIX matching payments through a waiver approved under 
section 1115 of the Social Security Act.
    (iii) The hospital has the burden of furnishing data adequate to 
prove eligibility for each Medicaid patient day claimed under this 
paragraph, and of verifying with the State that a patient was eligible 
for Medicaid during each claimed patient hospital day.
    (5) Disproportionate patient percentage. The intermediary adds the 
results of the first computation made under either paragraph (b)(2) or 
(b)(3) of this section and the second computation made under paragraph 
(b)(4) of this section and expresses that sum as a percentage. This is 
the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage, and is used in 
paragraph (c) of this section.
    (c) Criteria for classification. A hospital is classified as a 
``disproportionate share'' hospital under any of the following 
circumstances:
    (1) The hospital's disproportionate patient percentage, as 
determined under paragraph (b)(5) of this section, is at least equal to 
one of the following:
    (i) 15 percent, if the hospital is located in an urban area, and has 
100 or more beds, or is located in a rural area and has 500 or more 
beds.
    (ii) 30 percent for discharges occurring before April 1, 2001, and 
15 percent for discharges occurring on or after April 1, 2001, if the 
hospital is located in a rural area and either has more than 100 beds 
and fewer than 500 beds or is classified as a sole community hospital 
under Sec.  412.92.
    (iii) 40 percent for discharges before April 1, 2001, and 15 percent 
for discharges occurring on or after April 1, 2001, if the hospital is 
located in an urban area and has fewer than 100 beds.
    (iv) 45 percent for discharges before April 1, 2001, and 15 percent 
for discharges occurring on or after April 1, 2001, if the hospital is 
located in a rural area and has 100 or fewer beds.
    (2) The hospital is located in an urban area, has 100 or more beds, 
and can demonstrate that, during its cost reporting period, more than 30 
percent of its net inpatient care revenues are derived from State and 
local government payments for care furnished to indigent patients.
    (d) Payment adjustment factor--(1) Method of adjustment. Subject to 
the reduction factor set forth in paragraph (e) of this section, if a 
hospital serves a disproportionate number of low-income patients, its 
DRG revenues for inpatient operating costs are increased by

[[Page 528]]

an adjustment factor as specified in paragraph (d)(2) of this section.
    (2) Payment adjustment factors. (i) If the hospital meets the 
criteria of paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section, the payment adjustment 
factor is equal to one of the following:
    (A) If the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage is greater 
than 20.2 percent, the applicable payment adjustment factor is as 
follows:
    (1) For discharges occurring on or after April 1, 1990, and before 
January 1, 1991, 5.62 percent plus 65 percent of the difference between 
20.2 percent and the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage.
    (2) For discharges occurring on or after January 1, 1991, and before 
October 1, 1993, 5.62 percent plus 70 percent of the difference between 
20.2 percent and the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage.
    (3) For discharges occurring on or after October 1, 1993, and before 
October 1, 1994, 5.88 percent plus 80 percent of the difference between 
20.2 percent and the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage.
    (4) For discharges occurring on or after October 1, 1994, 5.88 
percent plus 82.5 percent of the difference between 20.2 percent and the 
hospital's disproportionate patient percentage.
    (B) If the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage is less 
than 20.2 percent, the applicable payment adjustment factor is as 
follows:
    (1) For discharges occurring on or after April 1, 1990, and before 
October 1, 1993, 2.5 percent plus 60 percent of the difference between 
15 percent and the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage.
    (2) For discharges occurring on or after October 1, 1993, 2.5 
percent plus 65 percent of the difference between 15 percent and the 
hospital's disproportionate patient percentage.
    (ii) If the hospital meets the criteria of paragraph (c)(1)(ii) of 
this section, the payment adjustment factor is equal to one of the 
following:
    (A) If the hospital is classified as a rural referral center--
    (1) For discharges occurring before April 1, 2001, the payment 
adjustment factor is 4 percent plus 60 percent of the difference between 
the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage and 30 percent.
    (2) For discharges occurring on or after April 1, 2001, and before 
April 1, 2004, the following applies:
    (i) If the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage is less 
than 19.3 percent, the applicable payment adjustment factor is 2.5 
percent plus 65 percent of the difference between 15 percent and the 
hospital's disproportionate patient percentage.
    (ii) If the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage is 
greater than 19.3 percent and less than 30 percent, the applicable 
payment adjustment factor is 5.25 percent.
    (iii) If the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage is 
greater than or equal to 30 percent, the applicable payment adjustment 
factor is 5.25 percent plus 60 percent of the difference between 30 
percent and the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage.
    (3) For discharges occurring on or after April 1, 2004, the 
following applies:
    (i) If the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage is less 
than or equal to 20.2 percent, the applicable payment adjustment factor 
is 2.5 percent plus 65 percent of the difference between 15 percent and 
the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage.
    (ii) If the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage is 
greater than 20.2 percent, the applicable payment adjustment factor is 
5.88 percent plus 82.5 percent of the difference between 20.2 percent 
and the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage.
    (B) If the hospital is classified as a sole community hospital--
    (1) For discharges occurring before April 1, 2001, the payment 
adjustment factor is 10 percent.
    (2) For discharges occurring on or after April 1, 2001 and before 
April 1, 2004, the following applies:
    (i) If the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage is less 
than 19.3 percent, the applicable payment adjustment factor is 2.5 
percent plus 65 percent of the difference between 15 percent and the 
hospital's disproportionate patient percentage.
    (ii) If the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage is equal 
to or greater than 19.3 percent and less than 30

[[Page 529]]

percent, the applicable payment adjustment factor is 5.25 percent.
    (iii) If the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage is equal 
to or greater than 30 percent, the applicable payment adjustment factor 
is 10 percent.
    (3) For discharges occurring on or after April 1, 2004, the 
following applies:
    (i) If the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage is less 
than or equal to 20.2 percent, the applicable payment adjustment factor 
is 2.5 percent plus 65 percent of the difference between 15 percent and 
the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage.
    (ii) If the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage is 
greater than 20.2 percent, the applicable payment adjustment factor is 
5.88 percent plus 82.5 percent of the difference between 20.2 percent 
and the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage.
    (iii) The maximum payment adjustment factor is 12 percent.
    (C) If the hospital is classified as both a rural referral center 
and a sole community hospital, the payment adjustment is--
    (1) For discharges occurring before April 1, 2001, the greater of--
    (i) 10 percent; or
    (ii) 4 percent plus 60 percent of the difference between the 
hospital's disproportionate patient percentage and 30 percent.
    (2) For discharges occurring on or after April 1, 2001 and before 
April 1, 2004, the greater of the adjustments determined under 
paragraphs (d)(2)(ii)(A) or (d)(2)(ii)(B) of this section.
    (3) For discharges occurring on or after April 1, 2004, the 
following applies:
    (i) If the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage is less 
than 20.2 percent, the applicable payment adjustment factor is 2.5 
percent plus 65 percent of the difference between 15 percent and the 
hospital's disproportionate patient percentage.
    (ii) If the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage is 
greater than 20.2 percent, the applicable payment adjustment factor is 
5.88 percent plus 82.5 percent of the difference between 20.2 percent 
and the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage.
    (D) If the hospital is classified as a rural hospital and is not 
classified as either a sole community hospital or a rural referral 
center, and has 100 or more beds--
    (1) For discharges occurring before April 1, 2001, the payment 
adjustment factor is 4 percent.
    (2) For discharges occurring on or after April 1, 2001 and before 
April 1, 2004, the following applies:
    (i) If the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage is less 
than 19.3 percent, the applicable payment adjustment factor is 2.5 
percent plus 65 percent of the difference between the hospital's 
disproportionate patient percentage and 15 percent.
    (ii) If the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage is equal 
to or greater than 19.3 percent, the applicable payment adjustment 
factor is 5.25 percent.
    (3) For discharges occurring on or after April 1, 2004, the 
following applies:
    (i) If the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage is less 
than or equal to 20.2 percent, the applicable payment adjustment factor 
is 2.5 percent plus 65 percent of the difference between 15 percent and 
the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage.
    (ii) If the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage is 
greater than 20.2 percent, the applicable payment adjustment factor is 
5.88 percent plus 82.5 percent of the difference between 20.2 percent 
and the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage.
    (iii) The maximum payment adjustment factor is 12 percent.
    (iii) If the hospital meets the criteria of paragraph (c)(1)(iii) of 
this section--
    (A) For discharges occurring before April 1, 2001, the payment 
adjustment factor is 5 percent.
    (B) For discharges occurring on or after April 1, 2001 and before 
April 1, 2004, the following applies:
    (1) If the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage is less 
than 19.3 percent, the applicable payment adjustment factor is 2.5 
percent plus 65 percent of the difference between the hospital's 
disproportionate patient percentage and 15 percent.

[[Page 530]]

    (2) If the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage is equal 
to or greater than 19.3 percent, the applicable payment adjustment 
factor is 5.25 percent.
    (C) For discharges occurring on or after April 1, 2004, the 
following applies:
    (1) If the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage is less 
than or equal to 20.2 percent, the applicable payment adjustment factor 
is 2.5 percent plus 65 percent of the difference between 15 percent and 
the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage.
    (2) If the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage is greater 
than 20.2 percent, the applicable payment adjustment factor is 5.88 
percent plus 82.5 percent of the difference between 20.2 percent and the 
hospital's disproportionate patient percentage.
    (3) The maximum payment adjustment factor is 12 percent.
    (iv) If the hospital meets the criteria of paragraph (c)(1)(iv) of 
this section--
    (A) For discharges occurring before April 1, 2001, the payment 
adjustment factor is 4 percent.
    (B) For discharges occurring on or after April 1, 2001 and before 
April 1, 2004, the following applies:
    (1) If the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage is less 
than 19.3 percent, the applicable payment adjustment factor is 2.5 
percent plus 65 percent of the difference between the hospital's 
disproportionate patient percentage and 15 percent.
    (2) If the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage is equal 
to or greater than 19.3 percent, the applicable payment adjustment 
factor is 5.25 percent.
    (C) For discharges occurring on or after April 1, 2004, the 
following applies:
    (1) If the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage is less 
than or equal to 20.2 percent, the applicable payment adjustment factor 
is 2.5 percent plus 65 percent of the difference between 15 percent and 
the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage.
    (2) If the hospital's disproportionate patient percentage is greater 
than 20.2 percent, the applicable payment adjustment factor is 5.88 
percent plus 82.5 percent of the difference between 20.2 percent and the 
hospital's disproportionate patient percentage.
    (3) Except as provided in paragraph (d)(2)(iv)(D) of this section, 
the maximum payment adjustment factor is 12 percent.
    (D) Effective for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2006, 
for a hospital that is classified as a Medicare-dependent, small rural 
hospital under Sec.  412.108, the payment adjustment factor limitation 
specified in paragraph (d)(2)(iv)(C)(3) does not apply.
    (v) If the hospital meets the criteria of paragraph (c)(2) of this 
section, the payment adjustment factor is as follows:
    (A) 30 percent for discharges occurring on or after April 1, 1990, 
and before October 1, 1991.
    (B) 35 percent for discharges occurring on or after October 1, 1991.
    (e) Reduction in payments beginning FY 1998. The amounts otherwise 
payable to a hospital under paragraph (d) of this section are reduced by 
the following:
    (1) For FY 1998, 1 percent.
    (2) For FY 1999, 2 percent.
    (3) For FY 2000, 3 percent.
    (4) For FY 2001:
    (i) For discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2000 and before 
April 1, 2001, 3 percent.
    (ii) For discharges occurring on or after April 1, 2001 and before 
October 1, 2001, 1 percent.
    (5) For FY 2002, 3 percent.
    (6) For FYs 2003 and thereafter, 0 percent.

[54 FR 36494, Sept. 1, 1989, as amended at 55 FR 14283, Apr. 17, 1990; 
55 FR 15174, Apr. 20, 1990; 55 FR 32088, Aug. 7, 1990; 56 FR 573, Jan. 
7, 1991; 56 FR 9633, Mar. 7, 1991; 57 FR 39824, Sept. 1, 1992; 60 FR 
45848, Sept. 1, 1995; 62 FR 46029, Aug. 29, 1997; 63 FR 41004, July 31, 
1998; 65 FR 3139, Jan. 20. 2000; 65 FR 47108, Aug. 1, 2000; 66 FR 32193, 
June 13, 2001; 66 FR 39934, Aug. 1, 2001; 67 FR 50112, Aug. 1, 2002; 68 
FR 45470, Aug. 1, 2003; 69 FR 49246, Aug. 11, 2004; 71 FR 48139, Aug. 
18, 2006]