CMS Issues Proposed Rule for Rural Emergency Hospitals

With more rural hospitals closing, CMS seeks to protect access to emergency care and additional outpatient services for people in rural communities. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a new proposed rule seeking to protect access to emergency care and additional outpatient services for people in rural communities. The proposed rule will allow small rural hospitals to seek this new provider designation and provide continued access to emergency services, observation care, and additional medical and outpatient services. “The availability of the new Rural Emergency Hospital provider type will maintain access to essential healthcare services and help to reduce disparities in rural communities,” said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, in a statement.