Critical Access Hospitals (CAH)
The Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program
The Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program (Flex Program), created by Congressin1997, allows small hospitals to be licensed as Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) andoffers grants to States to help implement initiatives to strengthen the rural health careinfrastructure.
The legislative authority for the Flex Program and cost-based reimbursement for CAHsare described in the Social Security Act, Title XVIII, Sections 1814 and 1820. Click here to view details of this Act.
The Financial Experience of Small Rural Hospitals
George Pink, Ph.D. and Rebecca Slifkin, Ph.D.
NC Rural Health Research & Policy Analysis Center
Quality Improvement and Measurement Lessons Learned and Future Directions
Ira Moscovice, PhD,
Professor and Director
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Community Impact Lessons and Future Directions
Andrew Coburn PhD and John Gale MS
Maine Rural Health Research Center
Muskie School of Public Service
University of Southern Maine