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As part of our Rapid Response Project the Program recently published five new Findings Briefs, each of which provide information for policy makers and stakeholders as policy changes for Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) are considered.
 Profitability of Rural Hospitals Urban hospitals paid under PPS and Rural Referral Centers consistently had the highest profitability in comparison to hospitals with other payment classifications. Read Brief...
Geographic Variation in the Profitability of Critical Access Hospitals
The profitability of Critical Access Hospitals varies greatly across states and U.S. Census divisions.The decertification of CAHs and the loss of cost-based reimbursement are likely to reduce hospital profitability, with some states and regions being more adversely affected than others. Read Brief...
Change in Profitability and Financial Distress of CAHs from Loss of Cost-Based Reimbursement
Changes to CAH reimbursement, notably a reversion to prospective payment, would have marked negative effects on CAH profitability and financial health. Roughly three quarters of CAHs would operate at a loss. Read Brief...
Implications for Beneficiary Travel Time if Financially Vulnerable Critical Access Hospitals Close
Changes to CAH reimbursement may spur some CAHs to close, with the most financially vulnerable more likely to close. The average resident of those communities would experience a 80 percent increase in distance to the nearest hospital if those CAHs were to close. Read Brief ...
Rural and Urban Differences in Inpatient Related Costs and Use among Medicare Beneficiaries
Medicare beneficiaries who are admitted to rural hospitals tend to have lower outpatient costs than Medicare beneficiaries admitted to urban hospitals. The analysis suggests that consideration of the total cost of an acute episode of care be considered, not just the cost of the acute inpatient stay. Read Brief...
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George Pink, PhD, senior research fellow at the NC Rural Health Research Program and Humana Distinguished Professor of health policy and management at The University of North Carolina's Gillings School of Global Public Health was honored by The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) with its Outstanding Researcher Award, May 9 during the NRHA's 36th annual Rural Health Conference in Louisville, Ky. 