The American Hospital Association recently testified at an Internal Revenue Service hearing, which covered Section 501(r) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Section 501(r) requires non-profit hospitals and health systems to implement a financial assistance policy, limit the amounts charged to those eligible for financial assistance and enact other provisions in order to keep their tax exemptions.
AHA said it supports the goals of Section 501(r), but it recommended four main alterations:
• The definition of "reasonable efforts" be changed to cut burdensome requirements.
• The effective date of the final regulations take effect no sooner than Jan. 1, 2014, when other main provisions of the PPACA go into effect.
• Enforcement guidance be issued prior to finalizing the regulations.
• The final rule accommodate the unique circumstances of government hospitals that are 501(c)(3) organizations.
Section 501(r) requires non-profit hospitals and health systems to implement a financial assistance policy, limit the amounts charged to those eligible for financial assistance and enact other provisions in order to keep their tax exemptions.
AHA said it supports the goals of Section 501(r), but it recommended four main alterations:
• The definition of "reasonable efforts" be changed to cut burdensome requirements.
• The effective date of the final regulations take effect no sooner than Jan. 1, 2014, when other main provisions of the PPACA go into effect.
• Enforcement guidance be issued prior to finalizing the regulations.
• The final rule accommodate the unique circumstances of government hospitals that are 501(c)(3) organizations.
More Articles on Hospital Financial Assistance Policies:
IRS to Hold Hearing on Proposed Tax-Exempt Regulations for Hospitals
Hospital Groups Urge Government to Ease Tax-Exempt Regulations
Illinois Set to Finalize New Charity Care, Tax Exemption Regulations for Hospitals