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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Critical Access Hospitals

2004 CAH Survey National Data
Presents key results from on a national telephone survey of 500 Critical Access Hospital (CAH) administrators between January and April 2004. Topics addressed include CAH scope of services and any changes in services during the previous two years; organizational relationships and their impact on CAH operations; quality improvement and patient safety activities; and community impact.
Author(s): Michelle Casey, Jill Klingner
Date: 08/2004
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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A Synthesis of State Flex Program Plans 2003-2004
Describes trends in state activities for the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program (Flex Program). Includes an overview and specific state examples for different aspects of the Flex program, including rural health planning, Critical Access Hospital designation, EMS, quality improvement, and health information technology.
Date: 05/2004
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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The Financial Benefits of Critical Access Hospital Conversion for FY 1999 and FY 2000 Converters
Discusses the impact of conversion to Critical Access Hospital (CAH) status on the financial condition of rural hospitals one and two years after conversion. CAHs' pre- and post-conversion revenues are compared, and CAH revenues are compared to small rural hospitals that did not convert to cost-based Medicare reimbursement.
Author(s): Jeffrey Stensland, Gestur Davidson, Ira Moscovice
Date: 01/2004
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Modeling the Frontier Extended Stay Clinic Conditions of Participation and Reimbursement Methodologies
Discusses the financial feasibility of the Frontier Extended Stay Clinic (FESC), a proposed provider type to expand services in remote and isolated primary care clinics. Compares Medicare reimbursement for FESC status with Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), Rural Health Clinic (RHC), and Critical Access Hospital (CAH) reimbursement. Includes detailed examples of financial impact for seven clinics in rural Alaska, Nevada, Washington, and Wyoming.
Date: 2004
Sponsoring organization: Federal Office of Rural Health Policy
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Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003
Text of the legislation that adds a prescription drug benefit to Medicare and enhances some rural healthcare programs, such as the Critical Access Hospitals program.
Date: 11/2003
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Medicare: Modest Eligibility Expansion for Critical Access Hospital Program Should Be Considered
Examines the Critical Access Hospital (CAH) program and makes recommendations on CAH eligibility related to the ban on inpatient psychiatric or rehabilitation distinct part units and the limit on patient census.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 09/2003
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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The Financial Effects of Critical Access Hospital Conversion
Describes how the first wave of conversions to Critical Access Hospital (CAH) status affected rural hospitals' financial performance and organizational structure.
Author(s): Jeffrey Stensland, Gestur Davidson, Ira Moscovice
Date: 01/2003
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Location of Frontier CAHs, Certified through January 1, 2003
Shows Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) located in counties with fewer than seven people per square mile.
Date: 2003
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Hospitals That Have Not Yet Converted: Is CAH Still an Option?
Identifies reasons for hospitals not to have converted to Critical Access Hospital (CAH) status. Lists questions that could be used to help understand why a hospital has not converted and discusses related issues, with the goal of helping State Flex Program managers provide needed assistance related to CAH conversion.
Date: 10/2002
Sponsoring organization: Technical Assistance and Services Center
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A Targeted Look at the Rural Health Care Safety Net
Report to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Discusses the safety net, the web of professionals and institutions that provide care to the poor and uninsured regardless of ability of pay. Also covers key safety net programs under the purview of the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Its findings fall into three categories: ensuring access to hospital services, ensuring access to primary care, and maintaining an adequate workforce.
Date: 04/2002
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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