Author: dturpin

18 Sep

Posted at 12:11h in News

Another Critical Access Hospital closed this week, leaving Patrick County, Virginia, with no hospital. According to the University of North Carolina's Cecil G. Sheps Center, 81 rural hospitals have already closed since 2010. "Policy uncertainty in Washington has created fragile times for health care companies," says the...

15 Sep

Posted at 15:09h in News

The University of Chicago's independent research center, Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis, recently discussed some of the major factors impeding access to health care in rural areas. Hospital closures, transportation, and physician recruitment are challenges for non-urban communities nationwide as facilities strive to serve...

12 Sep

Posted at 14:59h in News

Since 2010, CMS has not enforced its direct supervision requirements in Critical Access Hospitals and other rural hospitals, according to a draft report released this month by MedPAC.  CMS says there have been no patient safety concerns raised to the agency about hospitals using inappropriate...

11 Sep

Posted at 12:17h in News

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) last week began exploring ways in which the federal health program could expand its coverage of a variety of telehealth services. Medicare currently covers certain services like mental health treatment and kidney disease under its traditional fee-for-service program, but...

07 Sep

Posted at 11:00h in Updates

Congress has returned from August recess with a growing list of issues needing resolutions. By the end of September, Congress needs to pass a year of government funding, and extend various federal programs such as CHIP and the National Flood Insurance Program. With the devastating...

31 Aug

Posted at 13:59h in News

On Thursday, August 30th, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced they will waive of certain requirements for hospitals providing care in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.  Regarding Critical Access Hospitals, "CMS waives the requirements limiting the number of patient beds to 25, and allows...

25 Aug

Posted at 16:16h in News

Communities in rural America are turning to new methods to attract the physicians needed to serve the needs of their communities. Governing interviewed CEO of Kearny County Hospital in Lakin, Kansas, about the situation his hospital is facing, and provides  analysis of physician data across...

21 Aug

Posted at 16:26h in News

The CEO of Carthage Area Hospital spoke with Becker's Hospital Review and shared his story of bringing the Critical Access Hospital from brink of bankruptcy to financial viability. With all of the financial pressures on Critical Access Hospitals today, the work of Carthrage Area Hospital...