[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 42, Volume 3] [Revised as of October 1, 2004] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 42CFR447.271] [Page 306-307] TITLE 42--PUBLIC HEALTH CHAPTER IV--CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) PART 447_PAYMENTS FOR SERVICES--Table of Contents Subpart C_Payment for Inpatient Hospital and Long-Term Care Facility Services Sec. 447.271 Upper limits based on customary charges. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, the agency may not [[Page 307]] pay a provider more for inpatient hospital services under Medicaid than the provider's customary charges to the general public for the services. (b) The agency may pay a public provider that provides services free or at a nominal charge at the same rate that would be used if the provider's charges were equal to or greater than its costs.