US SB1960

Hospitals currently designated as critical access hospitals that previously qualified under the 15-mile mountainous terrain or secondary roads distance requirement will retain that designation even if a new hospital opens within 10-15 miles, effective January 1, 2026

Qualifying hospitals must demonstrate they met the 15-mile distance requirement as of their last certification and were designated as critical access hospitals as of the bill's enactment date

Medicare ambulance service distance requirements for critical access hospitals will be reduced from 35 miles to 15 miles for areas with mountainous terrain or only secondary roads, effective January 1, 2026

The Secretary of Health and Human Services must issue regulations within 1 year of enactment to implement the critical access hospital provisions

Amends Title XVIII of the Social Security Act (Medicare provisions) at sections 1820(h) and 1834(l)(8)