UPDATING MAXIMUM RATE OF PAYMENT PER VISIT FOR INDEPENDENT RURAL HEALTH CLINICS.

SEC. 4067. UPDATING MAXIMUM RATE OF PAYMENT PER VISIT FOR INDEPENDENT RURAL HEALTH CLINICS. (a) In General.— Section 1833 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 13951) is further amended by inserting after subsection (e) the following new subsection: “(f) In establishing limits under subsection (a) on payment for rural health clinic services provided by independent rural health clinics, the Secretary shall establish such limit, for services provided— “(1) in 1988, after March 31, at $46, and “(2) in a subsequent year, at the limit established under this subsection for the previous year increased by the percentage increase in the medicare economic index (referred to in the fourth sentence of section 1842(b)(3)) applicable to physicians’ services furnished as of the first day of that year.”. (b) Report on Rates.— The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall report to Congress, by not later than March 1, 1989, on the adequacy of the amounts paid under title XVIII of the Social Security Act for rural health clinic services provided by independent rural health clinics. (c) Effective Date.— The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to services furnished on or after April 1, 1988.