CMS SOM App. X, Tag X-024

and §§482.80 through 482.104, a heart transplant center that wishes to provide

transplantation services to pediatric heart patients may be approved to perform pediatric

heart transplants by meeting the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 criteria in

section 4009(b) (Pub.L.100-203), as follows:

(1)The center’s pediatric transplant program must be operated jointly by the hospital and

another facility that is Medicare-approved;

Guideline §482.76(d)(1)

In order for a pediatric heart transplant program to be approved under the OBRA of 1987 criteria

rather than the Conditions of Participation, there must be evidence that it is being operated

jointly by the hospital in which it’s located and another Medicare hospital. Joint operation

means that services and staff from both hospitals are required to accomplish the transplants

performed at the pediatric hospital. See standards and guidance at §482.76(d)(2) and

§482.76(d)(3) below. This joint operation may occur pursuant to a structured affiliation between

the two hospitals or pursuant to a written agreement.