Rural Emergency Hospitals

21 Hospitals Have Converted to
Rural Emergency
Hospitals since January 2023

 

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What is a Rural Emergency Hospital?

A Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) is a facility that provides emergency department services, observation care, and additional outpatient medical and health services if elected by the REH, that do not exceed an annual per patient average length of stay of 24 hours.  REHs are prohibited from providing inpatient services, except those furnished in a distinct part licensed as a skilled nursing facility to furnish post-hospital extended care services.

Eligible hospitals for REH conversion include: CAHs or rural hospitals that were enrolled and certified to participate in Medicare as of 12/27/2020 with 50 or fewer beds located in or treated as being located in a rural area.

Make sure to see our FAQ below for additional information.

HospitalCityStatePrevious Medicare PaymentREH Participation Date
Friend Community Healthcare SystemFriendNebraskaCAH2024-01-11
Mercy HospitalMoundridgeKansasPPS2024-01-01
Eureka Springs HospitalEureka SpringsArkansasCAH2023-12-01
Panola Medical CenterBatesvilleMississippiPPS2023-11-01
Harper County Community HospitalBuffaloOklahomaCAH2023-10-01
South Central Kansas Medical CenterArkansas CityKansasSCH2023-09-28
St. Bernards Five Rivers Medical Center
Pocahontas
ArkansasSCH2023-09-01
Guadalupe County HospitalSanta RosaNew MexicoSCH2023-09-01
Assumption Community HospitalNapoleonville
LouisianaCAH2023-08-03
Sturgis Hospital
Sturgis
MichiganPPS2023-07-06
Blue Ridge Medical CenterBlue RidgeGeorgiaMDH2023-07-01
Stillwater Medical-BlackwellBlackwellOklahomaSCH2023-07-01
Tristar Ashland City Medical Center
Ashland City
Tennessee
CAH2023-07-01
St. Luke's Health - Memorial Hospital - San AugustineSan Augustine
TexasCAH2023-06-20
Jefferson County Hospital
Fayette
MississippiPPS2023-06-01
Stillwater Medical - PerryPerryOklahomaSCH2023-04-01
Anson General HospitalAnson
TexasMDH2023-03-27
Alliance Healthcare SystemHolly Springs
MississippiSCH2023-03-16
Falls Community Hospital and ClinicMarlin
TexasSCH2023-02-08
Irwin County HospitalOcilla
GeorgiaPPS2023-02-01
Crosbyton Clinic HospitalCrosbyton
TexasCAH2023-01-30

Do you know of a hospital that converted to an REH that is not on our list? Do you know of a hospital considering conversion? Please complete an inquiry below or email your information and tips to us here: ncrural@unc.edu

How are REHs identified?

We collect information from hospital administrators (CEOs, etc.), state offices of rural health, and data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS Quality, Certification & Oversight Reports).

 

Where can I get more information about Rural Emergency Hospitals?

Rural Emergency Hospitals. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) Model. Rural Health Redesign Center.

Rural Emergency Hospitals. Rural Health Information Hub.

 

What research has the NC Rural Health Research Program published about Rural Emergency Hospitals?

Pink G, Gurzenda S, Thompson K, Howard HA. Characteristics of Rural Hospitals Eligible for Conversion to Rural Emergency Hospitals and Three Rural Hospitals Considering Conversion. Rural Health Research Program. UNC Sheps Center. December 2022. FB 181.

Reiter KL, Grant TJ, Gurzenda S, Budko A, Greenwood-Ericksen M, Pink GH. Key Considerations for a Rural Hospital Assessing Conversion to Rural Emergency Hospital. NC Rural Health Research Program. UNC Sheps Center. October 2022. FB 179.

Greenwood-Ericksen M, Grant TJ, Gurzenda S, Malone T, Budko A, Reiter KL, Pink GH. Small Rural Hospitals with Low Volume ED that May Convert to a Rural Emergency Hospital. NC Rural Health Research Program. UNC Sheps Center. October 2022. FB 178.

Pink G, Thompson K, Howard HA, Holmes M. How Many Hospitals Might Convert to a Rural Emergency Hospital. NC Rural Health Research Program, UNC Sheps Center. July 2021.

Malone T, Gurzenda S, Reiter KL, Pink GP, Greenwood-Ericksen M.  Suitability of Low-Volume Rural Emergency Departments to New Rural Emergency Hospital Designation.  Annals of Emergency Medicine 2023, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annemergmed.2023.08.492

⇒Information on rural hospital closures

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