US Code

Public Law 119-83 (04/13/2026)

42 U.S.C. § 254g

Charges for services by entities using Corps members

(a)

Availability of services regardless of ability to pay or payment source

An entity to which a Corps member is assigned shall not deny requested health care services, and shall not discriminate in the provision of services to an individual—
(1)
because the individual is unable to pay for the services; or
(2)
because payment for the services would be made under—
(A)
42 U.S.C. 1395 the medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act ( et seq.);
(B)
42 U.S.C. 1396 the medicaid program under title XIX of such Act ( et seq.); or
(C)
42 U.S.C. 1397aa the State children’s health insurance program under title XXI of such Act ( et seq.).
(b)

Charges for services

The following rules shall apply to charges for health care services provided by an entity to which a Corps member is assigned:
(1)

In general

(A)

Schedule of fees or payments

Except as provided in paragraph (2), the entity shall prepare a schedule of fees or payments for the entity’s services, consistent with locally prevailing rates or charges and designed to cover the entity’s reasonable cost of operation.

(B)

Schedule of discounts

Except as provided in paragraph (2), the entity shall prepare a corresponding schedule of discounts (including, in appropriate cases, waivers) to be applied to the payment of such fees or payments. In preparing the schedule, the entity shall adjust the discounts on the basis of a patient’s ability to pay.

(C)

Use of schedules

The entity shall make every reasonable effort to secure from patients fees and payments for services in accordance with such schedules, and fees or payments shall be sufficiently discounted in accordance with the schedule described in subparagraph (B).

(2)

Services to beneficiaries of Federal and federally assisted programs

In the case of health care services furnished to an individual who is a beneficiary of a program listed in subsection (a)(2), the entity—
(A)
42 U.S.C. 1395u(b)(3)(B)(ii) shall accept an assignment pursuant to section 1842(b)(3)(B)(ii) of the Social Security Act () with respect to an individual who is a beneficiary under the medicare program; and
(B)
shall enter into an appropriate agreement with—
(i)
42 U.S.C. 1396 the State agency administering the program under title XIX of such Act [ et seq.] with respect to an individual who is a beneficiary under the medicaid program; and
(ii)
42 U.S.C. 1397aa the State agency administering the program under title XXI of such Act [ et seq.] with respect to an individual who is a beneficiary under the State children’s health insurance program.
(3)

Collection of payments

The entity shall take reasonable and appropriate steps to collect all payments due for health care services provided by the entity, including payments from any third party (including a Federal, State, or local government agency and any other third party) that is responsible for part or all of the charge for such services.

July 1, 1944, ch. 373 Pub. L. 107–251, title III, § 305116 Stat. 1647 Pub. L. 108–163, § 2(i)117 Stat. 2022 (, title III, § 334, as added , , ; amended , , .)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531 49 Stat. 620 section 1305 of this titleThe Social Security Act, referred to in subsecs. (a)(2) and (b)(2)(B), is , . Titles XVIII, XIX, and XXI of the Act are classified generally to subchapters XVIII (§ 1395 et seq.), XIX (§ 1396 et seq.), and XXI (§ 1397aa et seq.), respectively, of chapter 7 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see and Tables.

Prior Provisions

act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, § 334 Pub. L. 94–484, title IV, § 407(b)(3)90 Stat. 2274 Pub. L. 97–35, title XXVII, § 270495 Stat. 906 Pub. L. 98–194, § 397 Stat. 1345 Pub. L. 100–177, title II, § 202(c)101 Stat. 996 Pub. L. 101–597, title I, § 105104 Stat. 3018 Pub. L. 107–251, title III, § 305116 Stat. 1647 A prior section 254g, , as added , , ; amended , , ; , , ; , , ; , title IV, § 401(b)[(a)], , , 3035, related to shared responsibility for costs of Corps personnel providing health services in or to a health professional shortage area during the assignment period, prior to repeal by , , .

Amendments

Pub. L. 108–1632003—Subsec. (b)(1)(B). inserted “the payment of” after “applied to”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2003 Amendment

Pub. L. 108–163Pub. L. 107–251section 3 of Pub. L. 108–163section 233 of this titleAmendment by deemed to have taken effect immediately after the enactment of , see , set out as a note under .