CMS Creates New ‘Rural Emergency Hospitals’ Provider Organization Type

On June 30, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the conditions for participation in the new "Rural Emergency Hospital" (REH) provider organization type. This new provider organization type allows a Critical Access Hospital or small rural hospital with no more than 50 beds to convert to an REH.

REH applicants must be a rural hospital that does not provide inpatient care but will provide 24-hour emergency services. Applicants must be located in a state that provides for the licensing of such hospitals. The program is not available to previously closed hospitals.

REH was established by . . .