Numerous Overlapping Programs Add Complexity, Unpredictability to Rural Hospital Finances

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Analyzes payments between 1997 and 2024 to 2,942 rural hospitals participating in at least one Medicare-specific payment program, including the Sole Community Hospital, Medicare-Dependent Hospital, Critical Access Hospital, or Low-Volume Hospital programs. Discusses the impact of the programs and policy changes throughout the study period on hospital finances.

Carolyn San Soucie, Michael E. Chernew, Benjamin D. Sommers

Health Affairs Scholar, 4(9)

09/2026

Critical Access Hospitals · Health reform · Hospitals · Reimbursement and payment models · Sole Community Hospitals