; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note), as qualified providers under the program established under this section. (B) The interim acceptance period under subparagraph (A) shall be determined by the Secretary based on the following criteria: (i) With respect to a health care provider, when the current certification agreement for the health care provider expires. (ii) Whether the Department has enacted certification and eligibility criteria and regulatory procedures by which non-Department providers will be authorized under this section. (6) The Secretary shall establish a system or systems for monitoring the quality of care provided to covered veterans through a network under this subsection and for assessing the quality of hospital care, medical services, and extended care services furnished through such network before the renewal of the contract for such network. (i) Payment rates for care and services (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), and to the extent practicable, the rate paid for hospital care, medical services, or extended care services under any provision in this title may not exceed the rate paid by the United States to a provider of services (as defined in section 1861(u) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395x(u) )) or a supplier (as defined in section 1861(d) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395x(d) )) under the Medicare program under title XI or title XVIII of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1301 et seq.), including section 1834 of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m ), for the same care or services. (2) (A) A higher rate than the rate paid by the United States as described in paragraph (1) may be negotiated with respect to the furnishing of care or services to a covered veteran who resides in a highly rural area. (B) In this paragraph, the term highly rural area means an area located in a county that has fewer than seven individuals residing in that county per square mile. (3) With respect to furnishing care or services under this section in Alaska, the Alaska Fee Schedule of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall