assistance provided in accordance with this section to a DRM-eligible Maria Survivor that is covered under the State Medicaid plan (as applied without regard to this section) the State shall pay a provider of such assistance the same payment rate as the State would otherwise pay for the assistance if the assistance were provided under the State Medicaid plan (or, if no such payment rate applies under the State Medicaid plan, the usual and customary prevailing rate for the item or service for the community in which it is provided). (i) Application to individuals eligible for medical assistance Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting any rights accorded to an individual who is a recipient of medical assistance under a State Medicaid plan who is determined to be a DRM-eligible Maria Survivor but the provision of DRM assistance to such individual shall be limited to the provision of such assistance in accordance with this section. (j) Definitions In this section: (1) Direct impact area The term direct impact area means an area for which a major disaster has been declared by the President before October 1, 2017, under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act by reason of Hurricane Maria and which the President has determined warrants individual and public assistance from the Federal Government under such Act by reason of Hurricane Maria. (2) DRM coverage period (A) In general The term DRM coverage period means the period beginning on September 17, 2017, and, subject to subparagraph (B), ending on such date as is determined by the Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but not earlier than 24 months after the date of enactment of this Act. (B) Secretary authority to extend DRM coverage period The Secretary may extend the DRM coverage period for an additional 6 months. Any reference to the term DRM coverage period in this section shall include any extension under this subparagraph. (3) Maria survivor (A) In general The