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 provides 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 healthcare facilities that 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 the financial viability of small rural hospitals through enhanced reimbursements.
    • Participate in FTO assessment improvement coaching.

Virginia currently has eight (8) designated CAH Hospital Update

For more information on Virginia’s Critical Access Hospital program and if you are interested in your facility being designated as a CAH, the VA-SORH can assist you. Contact Brandon Rivenbark at brandon.rivenbark@vdh.virginia.gov.