; and (ii) reimburse the provider for such care and services at the rates negotiated pursuant to clause (i) as provided in such contract or agreement. (B) (i) Except as provided in paragraph (3), rates negotiated under subparagraph (A)(i) shall not be more than the rates 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 XVIII of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.) for the same care or services. (ii) In determining the rates under the Medicare Program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.) for purposes of clause (i), in the case of care or services furnished by a provider of services with respect to which such rates are determined under a fee schedule to which the area wage index under section 1886(d)(3)(E) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395ww(d)(3)(E) ) applies, such area wage index so applied to such provider of services may not be less than 1.00. (C) In carrying out paragraph (2), the Secretary may incorporate the use of value-based reimbursement models to promote the provision of high-quality care. (3) (A) With respect to the furnishing of care or services under this section to an eligible veteran who resides in a highly rural area (as defined under the rural-urban commuting area codes developed by the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Health and Human Services), the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may negotiate a rate that is more than the rate paid by the United States as described in paragraph (2)(B). (B) With respect to furnishing care or services under this section in Alaska, the Alaska Fee Schedule of the Department of Veterans Affairs will be followed, except for when another payment agreement, including a contract or provider agreement, is in place. (C) With respect to furnishing care or services under this section in a State with an