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Rural Health Information Hub

Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) – Resources

Selected recent or important resources focusing on Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs).

Emergency Department Transfer Communication
Provides an overview of the Emergency Department Transfer Communication (EDTC) quality measure for Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) in the Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Project (MBQIP). Offers a data specifications manual and training video, as well as Excel-based data collection tools, manual, and training video. Includes a technical expert panel summary and final summary report.
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: Stratis Health
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CAHMPAS Data Query Tool
Tool allows Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) to compare their performance with other hospitals by location, quality measures, community data, and financials. The financial portion requires a login.
Type: Tool
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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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).
Type: Website
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.
Type: Document
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.
Type: Website
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.
Type: Website
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.
Type: Tool
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.
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Medicare Learning Network: Rural Providers & Suppliers Billing
Provides Medicare billing information by provider type and type of service, including information on where to submit claims. Includes information for Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Home Health Agencies, Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), Skilled Nursing Facilities, and Swing Bed services.
Type: Document
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.
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Additional resources are available related to this guide. See the full list of resources by topic for:


Last Updated: 8/29/2024