What is a "Critical Access Hospital"?

Salem Memorial District Hospital has been designated a Critical Access Hospital, as defined by the Office of Rural Health Policy, part of The Health Resources & Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

The Critical Access Hospital (CAH) Program was established to aid in the continuation of healthcare services for rural residents.

Aids in the continuation of health care services for rural residents
Enables hospitals to be eligible for cost-based Medicare reimbursement for in-patient and out-patient services
With a signed MOA, hospitals are eligible to receive enhanced reimbursement from Medicaid and the State Health Benefit Plan (SBHP)

A Critical Access Hospital:
Can limit services and utilize physician assistants and /or nurse practitioners in an effort to reduce their loss

May choose to maintain its current services; however, the hospital must agree to the bed size and annual in-patient length of stay limits

Provides small, rural hospitals with a range of opportunities for service enhancement, quality of care improvement, and certain economies of scale through network participation

Benefits:
Receive enhanced Medicare reimbursement for covered in-patient services
Receive 100% of allowable costs for Medicaid out-patient services
Retain any Medicaid payment for in-patient services in excess of charges
Receive 100% of charges for out-patient services by the State Health Benefit Plan and Board of Regents Health Plan
May enroll with SHBP as their group insurance provider.