Under the National Disaster Medical System Definitive Care Reimbursement Program, CMS will reimburse medical facilities and hospitals 110 percent of Medicare or a comparable rate for treating patients medically evacuated from natural disaster-stricken areas. Patients who lack access to medical care in their local area are sent to NDMS-designated providers and tracked by federal coordinating centers.
To take part in the NDMS program, hospitals must ensure up to 25 beds are open for NDMS patients. The reimbursement program covers medically necessary hospital treatment, including care administered beyond a typical 30-day stay, home care, rehabilitation, physical therapy and primary care.
In Puerto Rico, HHS estimates 85 patients medically evacuated from the U.S. Virgin Islands will be covered through the program.
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