Certification and recertification of need for inpatient care.

(a) Certification. (1) A physician must certify for each applicant or beneficiary that inpatient services in a hospital are or were needed. (2) The certification must be made at the time of admission or, if an individual applies for assistance while in a hospital, before the Medicaid agency authorizes payment. (b) Recertification. (1) A physician, or physician assistant or nurse practitioner (as defined in § 491.2 of this chapter) acting within the scope of practice as defined by State law and under the supervision of a physician, must recertify for each applicant or beneficiary that inpatient services in a hospital are needed. (2) Recertifications must be made at least every 60 days after certification. [46 FR 48561, Oct. 1, 1981]