The new Rural Emergency Hospital designation is putting providers between a rock and a hard place, offering an infusion of cash from the federal government that is available only if they eliminate inpatient care, Becker’s reports.
CMS released the final rule for the new designation in November. The rule aims to curb rural hospital closures by offering them a chance to shutter infrequently used inpatient beds and focus on providing outpatient and emergency department services. The new designation is set to go into effect in January.
Hospitals that convert will receive monthly payments of $272,866, with annual increases based on inflation, according to the report. They will also receive higher Medicare reimbursements than larger hospitals. Read more.
