Reminder: 2018 essential community provider applications due Oct. 15

Hospitals that serve predominantly low-income, medically-underserved individuals may submit an application to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services through Oct. 15 to add their facility to the Essential Community Provider list for the 2018 Health Insurance Marketplaces. Eligible hospitals include those that participate in the 340B Drug Pricing Program, critical access hospitals, rural referral centers, disproportionate share hospitals and DSH-eligible hospitals, children’s hospitals, sole community hospitals and free-standing cancer centers. Qualified health plans are required to contract with a minimum percentage of ECPs in their communities. Hospitals that submit applications after the deadline will be considered for the following benefit year.