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Resources by Topic: Critical Access Hospitals

A Critique of the Office of the Inspector General's Report on Swing Beds in Critical Access Hospitals
Evaluates the methods and data of a March 2015 report from the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, commenting on Medicare reimbursement policy for swing bed services in Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs).
Author(s): Kristin L. Reiter, G. Mark Holmes
Date: 03/2015
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Medicare Could Have Saved Billions at Critical Access Hospitals If Swing-Bed Services Were Reimbursed Using the Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System Rates
Reports the Inspector General's findings from a study of swing bed services and reimbursement at Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). Addresses changes in swing bed usage over time and examines the potential impact to Medicare of reimbursing swing bed services at skilled nursing facility (SNF) prospective payment system (PPS) rates.
Date: 03/2015
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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The 21st Century Rural Hospital: A Chart Book
Presents an extensive overview of the rural hospital of the 21st century. Discusses how rural hospitals have transformed from a traditional inpatient and emergency department facility to an integrated health system providing a wide variety of services. Contains sections with data about U.S. rural hospitals, the patient population, inpatient and outpatient services and finance.
Author(s): Victoria A. Freeman, Kristie Thompson, H. Ann Howard, Randy Randolph, G. Mark Holmes
Date: 03/2015
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Illinois Critical Access Hospital Hospitalist Study
Evaluates Illinois Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) with hospitalist programs. Discusses advantages and challenges, as well as how these programs might affect rural communities that are trying to recruit and retain rural providers.
Author(s): Martin MacDowell, Katherine Johns, Dana Evans, Hana Hinkle
Date: 02/2015
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Rural Health Professions
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Do Current Medicare Rural Hospital Payment Systems Align with Cost Determinants?
Discusses various payment models that may affect the financial performance of rural hospitals and the variables (geographic, community, market, and hospital) that affect rural hospital costs.
Author(s): Kristin Moss, G. Mark Holmes, George H. Pink,
Date: 02/2015
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Surgical Services in Critical Access Hospitals, 2011
Illustrates the major surgical services provided in Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) by type and capacity in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
Author(s): Paula Weigel, Fred Ullrich, Marcia M. Ward, Keith J. Mueller
Date: 02/2015
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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Critical Access Hospitals' Receipt of Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Payments
Describes Critical Access Hospital (CAH) participation in Medicare and Medicaid electronic health record (EHR) incentive programs and compares participation rates between states and by facility characteristics.
Author(s): Peiyin Hung, Michelle Casey, Ira Moscovice
Date: 01/2015
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Rural Health Networks and New Forms of Governance
Profiles Wilderness Health, a formal network of rural and urban independent hospitals in Minnesota focused on performance improvement. The network participates in the Integrated Health Partnership, Minnesota's Medicaid Accountable Care Organization (ACO) model.
Date: 2015
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Value
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Critical Access Hospital Financial Pro Forma
Financial modeling resource used to assist rural hospitals in projecting long-term finances under the Fee-For-Service (FFS)/cost-based reimbursement systems.
Date: 2015
Type: Tool
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Value
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Health Information Technology in the United States, 2015: Transition to a Post-HITECH World
Reports on health information technology (HIT) adoption over an 8-year period, and includes the results of programs supported by the HITECH Act. Exhibit 19 provides information on adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) and achievement of meaningful use for rural hospitals, Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), and others who received technical assistance from the Regional Extension Centers.
Date: 2015
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
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