HB 242

Adds defined term, freestanding psychiatric hospital to GS 108A-145.3 (definitions provisions of the Hospital Assessment Act) and makes conforming and organizational changes. Amends GS 108A-148.1 (pertaining to the State’s Healthcare Access and Stabilization Program [HASP]) so that the HASP must provide qualifying freestanding standing psychiatric hospitals within increased reimbursements funded through hospital assessment, so long as it is approved by CMS. Directs the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to submit a 42 CFR 438.6(c) preprint requesting approval to include freestanding psychiatric hospitals in HASP. Defines qualifying freestanding psychiatric hospital as a freestanding psychiatric hospital as defined in GS 108A‑145.3 that is Medicare‑certified and submits Hospital Cost Report Information System cost report data to CMS.