Critical Access Hospitals (CAH)

• • Located in a state with an established FLEX program;
  • Located in a rural area or an area treated as rural under federal guidelines;
  • Provide 24-hour emergency care services;
  • Furnish no more than 25 acute care inpatient beds and include the following provisions:
    • That the facility provide no more than 25 inpatient beds that can be used for either inpatient or swing bed services, and/or;
    • To include a separate provision for up to 10 additional rehab or psych beds in a “distinct part unit.”
  • Possess a length of stay averaging no more than 96 hours; and
  • Meet Geographic conditions.

Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) are designated health care facilities are exempt from the prospective payment system (PPS) and receive cost-based reimbursement for most Medicare beneficiary inpatient and outpatient services at 101 percent of their allowable and reasonable costs. This enables small rural hospitals to:

• • • Maintain quality access to primary and emergency health care services;
    • Offer adequate health care services that meet the needs of the community citizens (such as radiology, laboratory services, outpatient rehab and surgery; and
    • Assist in ensuring financial viability of small rural hospitals through enhanced reimbursements.
    • Participate in FTO assessments improvement coaching.

Virginia currently has eight (8) designated CAH Hospital Update

If you are interested in your facility being designated as a CAH, the VA-SORH can assist you in the process.  Contact Brandon Rivenbark at brandon.rivenbark@vdh.virginia.gov.