CFR

447.53—Applicability; specification; multiple charges.

(a) Basic requirements. Except as specified in paragraph (b) of this section, the plan may impose a nominal deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or similar charge upon categorically and medically needy individuals for any service under the plan.

(b) Exclusions from cost sharing. The plan may not provide for impositions of a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or similar charge upon categorically or medically needy individuals for the following:

(1) Children. Services furnished to individuals under 18 years of age (and, at the option of the State, individuals under 21, 20, or 19 years of age, or any reasonable category of individuals 18 years of age or over but under 21) are excluded from cost sharing.

(2) Pregnant women. Services furnished to pregnant women if such services related to the pregnancy, or to any other medical condition which may complicate the pregnancy are excluded from cost sharing obligations. These services include routine prenatal care, labor and delivery, routine post-partum care, family planning services, complications of pregnancy or delivery likely to affect the pregnancy, such as hypertension, diabetes, urinary tract infection, and services furnished during the postpartum period for conditions or complications related to the pregnancy. The postpartum period is the immediate postpartum period which begins on the last day of pregnancy and extends through the end of the month in which the 60-day period following termination of pregnancy ends. States may further exclude from cost sharing all services furnished to pregnant women if they desire.

(3) Institutionalized individuals. Services furnished to any individual who is an inpatient in a hospital, long-term care facility, or other medical institution if the individual is required (pursuant to § 435.725, § 435,733, § 435.832, or § 436.832 ), as a condition of receiving services in the institution, to spend all but a minimal amount of his income required for personal needs, for medical care costs are excluded from cost sharing.

(4) Emergency services. Services as defined at section 1932(b)(2) of the Act and § 438.114(a).

(5) Family planning. Family planning services and supplies furnished to individuals of child-bearing age are excluded from cost sharing.

(6) Indians. Items and services furnished to an Indian directly by an Indian health care provider or through referral under contract health services.

(c) Prohibition against multiple charges. For any service, the plan may not impose more than one type of charge referred to in paragraph (a) of this section.

(d) State plan specifications. For each charge imposed under this section, the plan must specify—

(1) The service for which the charge is made;

(2) The amount of the charge;

(3) The basis for determining the charge;

(4) The basis for determining whether an individual is unable to pay the charge and the means by which such an individual will be identified to providers; and

(5) The procedures for implementing and enforcing the exclusions from cost sharing found in paragraph (b) of this section.

(e) No provider may deny services, to an individual who is eligible for the services, on account of the individual's inability to pay the cost sharing.

[43 FR 45253, Sept. 29, 1978, as amended at 47 FR 21051, May 17, 1982; 48 FR 5736, Jan. 8, 1983; 50 FR 23013, May 30, 1985; 55 FR 48611, Nov. 21, 1990; 55 FR 52130, Dec. 19, 1990; 67 FR 41116, June 14, 2002; 75 FR 30261, May 28, 2010]

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