§ 412.90 General rules.

(a) Sole community hospitals. CMS may adjust the prospective payment rates for inpatient operating costs determined under subpart D or E of this part if a hospital, by reason of factors such as isolated location, weather conditions, travel conditions, or absence of other hosptials, is the sole source of inpatient hospital services reasonably available in a geographic area to Medicare beneficiaries. If a hospital meets the criteria for such an exception under § 412.92(a), its prospective payment rates for inpatient operating costs are determined under § 412.92(d).

(b) Referral center. CMS may adjust the prospective payment rates for inpatient operating costs determined under subpart D or E of this part if a hospital acts as a referral center for patients transferred from other hospitals. Criteria for identifying such referral centers are set forth in § 412.96.