42 CFR § 413.302 - Definitions.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t42/s413.302"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "42 CFR § 413.302 - Definitions."
title_number: 42
title_name: "Public Health"
section_number: "413.302"
section_name: "Definitions."
chapter_name: "CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES"
subchapter_number: "B"
subchapter_name: "MEDICARE PROGRAM"
part_number: "413"
part_name: "PRINCIPLES OF REASONABLE COST REIMBURSEMENT; PAYMENT FOR END-STAGE RENAL DISEASE SERVICES; PROSPECTIVELY DETERMINED PAYMENT RATES FOR SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES; PAYMENT FOR ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY DIALYSIS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "42 U.S.C. 1302, 1395d(d), 1395f(b), 1395g, 1395l(a), (i), and (n), 1395m, 1395x(v), 1395x(kkk), 1395hh, 1395rr, 1395tt, and 1395ww."
regulatory_source: "51 FR 34793, Sept. 30, 1986, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "413"
---


# 413.302 Definitions.

For purposes of this subpart—

*Area wage level* means the average wage per hour for all classifications of employees as reported by health care facilities within a specified area.

*Census region* means one of the 9 census divisions, comprising the 50 States and the District of Columbia, established by the Bureau of the Census for statistical and reporting purposes.

*Routine capital-related costs* means the capital-related costs, allowable for Medicare purposes (as described in subpart G of this part), that are allocated to the SNF participating inpatient routine service cost center as reported on the Medicare cost report.

*Routine operating costs* means the cost of regular room, dietary, and nursing services, and minor medical and surgical supplies for which a separate charge is not customarily made. It does not include the costs of ancillary services, capital-related costs, or, where appropriate, return on equity.

*Rural area* means any area outside an urban area in a census region.

Urban area means—

(1) Prior to October 1, 2004, a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), or New England County Metropolitan Area (NECMA), as defined by the Office of Management and Budget, or a New England county deemed to be an urban area as listed in § 412.62(f)(1)(ii)(B) of this chapter.

(2) Effective October 1, 2004, a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), as defined by the Office of Management and Budget, or a New England county deemed to be an urban area as specified under § 412.64.

[60 FR 37594, July 21, 1995, as amended at 69 FR 49265, Aug. 11, 2004]