related to section 1703C, as added by section 103 of this Act, the following new item: 1703D. Prompt payment standard. . 122. Payment rates for community care (a) In general Subchapter I of chapter 17, as amended by section 121 of this Act, is further amended by inserting after section 1703D the following new section: 1703E. Payment rates for community care (a) In general Except as provided in subsection (b), and to the extent practicable, the rate paid for hospital care or medical 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 (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. and 1395 et seq.) for the same care or services, including rates adjusted for critical access hospitals under section 1834(g) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395m(g) ). (b) Exception (1) (A) A higher rate than the rate paid by the United States as described in subsection (a) may be negotiated with respect to the furnishing of care or services to a veteran described in section 1703(b) of this title who resides in a highly rural area or in a market area where the availability of care or services is limited and a higher rate of pay may be required. (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. (2) With respect to furnishing care or services under this section in Alaska, the Alaska Fee Schedule of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall be followed, except for when another payment agreement, including a contract, provider agreement or Veterans Care Agreement, is in place. (3) With respect to furnishing care or services under this section in a State with an All-Payer Model Agreement under section 1814(b)(3) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395f(b)(3)