§ 19-307.2. Licensed bed capacity

   (a) General hospitals. -- For a hospital classified as a general hospital, the Secretary shall annually calculate the hospital's licensed bed capacity.

(b) Calculations. -- The annual licensed bed calculation for each hospital shall equal 140 percent of the average daily census for the 12-month period immediately preceding the calculation.

(c) Exceeding the licensed bed capacity. -- If necessary to adequately meet demand for services, a hospital may exceed its licensed bed capacity if:

   (1) On average for the 12-month period, the hospital does not exceed its licensed bed capacity based on the annual calculation; and

   (2) The hospital includes in its monthly report to the Health Services Cost Review Commission the following information:

      (i) The number of days in the month the hospital exceeded its licensed bed capacity; and

      (ii) The number of beds that were in excess on each of those days.

(d) Delicensing licensed hospital beds. -- Before July 1, 2000 and each July 1 thereafter, the Secretary shall delicense any licensed hospital beds determined to be excess bed capacity under subsection (b) of this section.

HISTORY: 1999, ch. 678.