Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) – Resources
Selected recent or important resources focusing on Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs).
Eligible Hospital / Critical Access Hospital eCQMs
Features updated electronic clinical quality measures (eCQMs) for Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting (IQR) Program and the Medicare and Medicaid Promoting Interoperability programs for reporting in Eligible Hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs).
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Features updated electronic clinical quality measures (eCQMs) for Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting (IQR) Program and the Medicare and Medicaid Promoting Interoperability programs for reporting in Eligible Hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs).
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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State Operations Manual Appendix Z - Emergency Preparedness for All Provider and Certified Supplier Types Interpretive Guidance
Interpretive guidelines clarifying several provisions of the emergency preparedness final rule for Medicare- and Medicaid-participating providers, which affects Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and other rural facilities.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Interpretive guidelines clarifying several provisions of the emergency preparedness final rule for Medicare- and Medicaid-participating providers, which affects Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and other rural facilities.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Core Competencies for State Flex Program Excellence Guide
A framework of tools, resources, and training developed for state Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Programs (Flex) to help them develop and maintain core competencies. Includes a program self-assessment, process improvement tools, and guides to understanding policies and regulations, quality improvement, and systems of care, among others.
Sponsoring organizations: National Rural Health Resource Center, Technical Assistance and Services Center
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A framework of tools, resources, and training developed for state Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Programs (Flex) to help them develop and maintain core competencies. Includes a program self-assessment, process improvement tools, and guides to understanding policies and regulations, quality improvement, and systems of care, among others.
Sponsoring organizations: National Rural Health Resource Center, Technical Assistance and Services Center
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Population Health Toolkit
Provides tools and resources to help Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), Flex Coordinators, and rural health networks use a systems-based approach to move towards population health. Includes a readiness assessment tool to identify strengths and needs, and a data tool for accessing public health and hospital data by county and state.
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Resource Center
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Provides tools and resources to help Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), Flex Coordinators, and rural health networks use a systems-based approach to move towards population health. Includes a readiness assessment tool to identify strengths and needs, and a data tool for accessing public health and hospital data by county and state.
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Resource Center
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CAH Financial Indicators Primer and Calculator Resources
Introduces the Critical Access Hospital Measurement and Performance Assessment System (CAHMPAS) financial indicators and provides editable templates and calculators CAHs can use to assess their facility's financial performance and compare it to peer facilities.
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Introduces the Critical Access Hospital Measurement and Performance Assessment System (CAHMPAS) financial indicators and provides editable templates and calculators CAHs can use to assess their facility's financial performance and compare it to peer facilities.
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Medicare Learning Network: Swing Bed Services
Provides information about the requirements Critical Access Hospitals must meet in order to enter into a swing bed agreement under which they can use beds, as needed, to provide either acute or Skilled Nursing Facility care.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Provides information about the requirements Critical Access Hospitals must meet in order to enter into a swing bed agreement under which they can use beds, as needed, to provide either acute or Skilled Nursing Facility care.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Medicare Learning Network: Information for Critical Access Hospitals
Booklet providing information about Critical Access Hospital (CAH) designation and payments. Discusses the use of CAH beds for general inpatient hospice care and conversion to Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) status. Includes a list of CAH resources and helpful websites.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Booklet providing information about Critical Access Hospital (CAH) designation and payments. Discusses the use of CAH beds for general inpatient hospice care and conversion to Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) status. Includes a list of CAH resources and helpful websites.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Flex Program Fundamentals
Provides overview information on the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility (Flex) Program, which supports Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). Designed to be a resource for current Flex Program staff, as well as an orientation manual for new staff.
Sponsoring organizations: National Rural Health Resource Center, Technical Assistance and Services Center
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Provides overview information on the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility (Flex) Program, which supports Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). Designed to be a resource for current Flex Program staff, as well as an orientation manual for new staff.
Sponsoring organizations: National Rural Health Resource Center, Technical Assistance and Services Center
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Health.mil Rates and Reimbursement: Hospital Classifications
Identifies TRICARE reimbursement methodologies for Sole Community Hospitals (SCH) and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). Also lists CAH inpatient and outpatient cost-to-charge ratios (CCRs).
Sponsoring organization: Military Health System
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Identifies TRICARE reimbursement methodologies for Sole Community Hospitals (SCH) and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). Also lists CAH inpatient and outpatient cost-to-charge ratios (CCRs).
Sponsoring organization: Military Health System
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Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Project (MBQIP)
Resources designed to help Critical Access Hospitals understand and execute the MBQIP measures. Includes tools and strategies rural hospitals can use to report, analyze, and translate their data into actual quality improvement.
Sponsoring organizations: National Rural Health Resource Center, Technical Assistance and Services Center
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Resources designed to help Critical Access Hospitals understand and execute the MBQIP measures. Includes tools and strategies rural hospitals can use to report, analyze, and translate their data into actual quality improvement.
Sponsoring organizations: National Rural Health Resource Center, Technical Assistance and Services Center
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Last Updated: 3/10/2025