Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia and Medicare

One of the leading problems and questions people have is finding a Medicare based Critical Access Hospital.  I am here to explain to you what you need to know about the CAH, or Medicare Critical access Hospital program.

A Critical Access Hospital is one that is certified to be reimbursed by the government funded Medicare program.  By being reimbursed, these hospitals usually have the funding needed to stay open, and continue to serve those needing care. As of September of 2009, there were over 1300 Hospitals falling under the health care title of a CAH.  Because of the Medicare benefits, and coverage, these hospitals allow patients to get full access to the care they need, without having to worry about what their health insurance will or will not pay for.

The Health based program was created to hopefully improve the service that people receive in rural areas, as well as making sure less hospitals close down due to financial troubles.  As long as you are a Medicare patient, you will have your health needs catered to at a reasonable cost, most of which will be refunded to you by Medicare themselves.

A Health Care Facility meeting the following set of guidelines can be considered a CAH:

- Is currently participating in Medicare as a rural public, non-profit or for-profit hospital; or was a participating hospital that ceased operation during the 10-year period from November 29, 1989 to November 29, 1999; or is a health clinic or health center that was downsized from a hospital; and
- Is in a location which is considered rural, and in a state participating in the program.
- Is located more than a 35-mile drive from any other hospital or CAH
- Has twenty five or fewer in patient beds for overnight stays.
- Has an average length of stay of fewer then 96 hours
- Complies with all CAH Conditions of Participation, which includes the requirement to make available 24-hour emergency care services 7 days per week.