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Ch. 717 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND

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(ii) Include an incentive to encourage hospitals to continue to subsidize trauma–related costs not otherwise included in hospital rates.

(4) The methodology developed under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall use the following parameters to determine the amount of reimbursement made to trauma physicians and trauma centers from the Fund:

(i) 1. The cost incurred by a Level II trauma center to maintain trauma surgeons, orthopedic surgeons, and neurosurgeons on–call shall be reimbursed:

A. At a rate of up to [30%] 60% of the reasonable [cost equivalents] COMPENSATION EQUIVALENT hourly rate for the specialty, inflated to the current year by the physician compensation component of the Medicare economic index as designated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; and

B. For the minimum number of trauma physicians required to be on–call, as specified by the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems in its criteria for Level II trauma centers;

2. The cost incurred by a Level III trauma center to maintain trauma surgeons, orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, and anesthesiologists on–call shall be reimbursed:

A. At a rate of up to [35%] 60% of the reasonable [cost equivalents] COMPENSATION EQUIVALENT hourly rate for the specialty, inflated to the current year by the physician compensation component of the Medicare economic index as designated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; and

B. For the minimum number of trauma physicians required to be on–call, as specified by the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems in its criteria for Level III trauma centers;

3. The cost incurred by a Level I trauma center or pediatric trauma center to maintain trauma surgeons, orthopedic surgeons, and neurosurgeons on–call when a post–graduate resident is attending in the trauma center shall be reimbursed:

A. At a rate of up to [30%] 60% of the reasonable [cost equivalents] COMPENSATION EQUIVALENT hourly rate for the specialty, inflated to the current year by the physician compensation component of the Medicare economic index as designated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; and

B. When a post–graduate resident is [permitted] AUTHORIZED to be in the trauma center, as specified by the Maryland Institute for