Equalizing beneficiary copayments for services furnished by CAHs

(a) In general Section 1866(a)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395cc(a)(2)(A)) is amended by adding at the end the following: In the case of outpatient critical access hospital services for which payment is made under section 1834(g), clause (ii) of the first sentence shall be applied by substituting 20 percent of the lesser of the actual charge or the payment basis under this part for such services if the critical access hospital were treated as a hospital for 20 per centum of the reasonable charges for such items and services.. (b) Applicability The amendment made by this section applies with respect to services furnished during a year that begins more than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.