Rural Emergency Hospitals (REHs) resources via the Rural Health Information Hub

Event: Geriatric Emergency Care: Practical Strategies for Rural Hospitals

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 08:45:35 -0500

-- Rural Health Quality Improvement Exchange

Funding opportunity: Rural Emergency Hospital Technical Assistance Center

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 14:50:44 -0500

Technical assistance support for hospitals that have already converted or are exploring converting to a Rural Emergency Hospital. -- Rural Health Redesign Center

Event: Rural Emergency Hospital - Positive Impact & Change Webinar

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 08:55:49 -0500

-- Rural Health Redesign Center

Resource: State Operations Manual Appendix Z - Emergency Preparedness for All Provider and Certified Supplier Types Interpretive Guidance

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 14:10:57 -0500

Interpretive guidelines clarifying several provisions of the emergency preparedness final rule for Medicare- and Medicaid-participating providers, which affects Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and other rural facilities. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Event: 2027 12th Annual Rural Hospital Innovation Summit

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 17:02:04 -0500

New Orleans LA
May 18, 2027 -- National Rural Health Association

Resource: Trauma and Emergency Surgical Care at Rural Emergency Hospital-Eligible Facilities: Interstate Variation and Policy Implications for Rural Health Systems

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 09:36:50 -0500

Explores trauma and emergency general surgery volumes at hospitals eligible to become Rural Emergency Hospitals (REHs). Analyzes 2021 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project data from California, Florida, Iowa, Maryland, and Wisconsin, to describe the volume of emergency general surgery and trauma care performed at REH-eligible hospitals. Examines the characteristics of the populations and communities served by hospitals eligible for REH designation compared with those served by REH-ineligible hospitals. Discusses the potential impact of converting to the REH designation on access to trauma and emergency general surgery.

Resource: REH Testimonial Interviews

Fri, 15 May 2026 14:10:01 -0500

Video series highlighting rural hospitals that successfully transitioned to Rural Emergency Hospital status and assistance that was provided by the REH Technical Assistance Center during the transition. -- Rural Health Redesign Center

Resource: Early Evaluation of the Rural Emergency Hospital Program

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 08:35:22 -0500

Results of a study conducted January 2023 to December 2025, to assess differences between hospitals that converted to Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) status and eligible rural hospitals that did not. Includes statistics on the financial performance of the hospitals before and after conversion, and hospital features and services provided, with breakdowns by REH or non-REH status.

Resource: Characterizing Early Adopters of the Rural Emergency Hospital Designation

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 13:33:07 -0500

Compares 42 hospitals that have received Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designations to the 447 REH-eligible hospitals that have not converted to identify characteristics of early converters. Characteristics evaluated include Critical Access Hospital status, ownership and affiliations, healthcare utilization, staffing, available services, and finances.

Resource: An Early Look at Profitability Before and After Conversion to Rural Emergency Hospital

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 09:37:32 -0500

Examines the impact of the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation on profitability of hospitals. Analyzes Medicare Cost Reports (MCRs) from 32 REHs before and after conversion and provides information on REH total and operating margins. -- North Carolina Rural Health Research Program

Resource: REH Learning Brief: Obstetric Care in Rural Emergency Hospitals

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 14:44:49 -0600

Describes how three Rural Emergency Hospitals (REHs) approach delivering obstetric-related care. Discusses challenges to providing obstetric services each facility faced prior to their conversion to REH status, and strategies implemented under the REH designation. Identifies common strategies these facilities take to support obstetric care without traditional labor and delivery services. -- Rural Health Redesign Center

Resource: Rural Emergency Hospital Educational Webinar and Fireside Chat

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 14:29:09 -0600

Recording of a January 8, 2026, webinar for Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and other small rural hospitals exploring the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation. Describes the REH designation, policy and regulatory requirements, and REH Technical Assistance Center (TAC) services and resources. Features a discussion with two hospital executives that led their facilities through the conversion to REH status. Transcript available in the video description. -- Rural Health Redesign Center

Resource: Rural Emergency Hospitals: Emerging Patterns of Adaptation and Community Perception

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 09:21:16 -0600

Examines characteristics of Rural Emergency Hospitals (REHs) and their impact on the community. Utilizes Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services cost report data to compare hospitals that converted to REHs to hospitals that did not convert. Analyzes issues such as hospital finances, local healthcare access, economic stabilization, REH reputation and use, community perceptions of quality, and more.

Resource: January 2026 Annual Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) Monthly Facility Payment Amount

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 10:18:16 -0600

Presents the monthly Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) monthly facility payment amount for Calendar Year 2026. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Resource: QualityNet: Rural Emergency Hospital Quality Reporting (REHQR) Program

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 14:11:44 -0600

Offers information and resources related to the Rural Emergency Hospital Quality Reporting (REHQR) Program, including specifications manuals and REHQR Program measures. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Resource: Quality Reporting Center: Rural Emergency Hospital Quality Reporting (REHQR) Program

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 14:06:35 -0600

Provides information, tools, and resources related to the Rural Emergency Hospital Quality Reporting (REHQR) Program. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Health Services Advisory Group

Resource: Calendar Year 2026 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center Final Rule (CMS-1834-FC)

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 16:00:00 -0600

Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule regarding updates and changes to the Medicare payments for hospital outpatient and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) services for calendar year 2026. Summarizes provisions regarding changes to hospital price transparency; Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and partial hospital program rate setting; updates to the Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting (OQR), Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting (ASCQR), and Rural Emergency Hospital Quality Reporting (REHQR) Programs; hospital quality start ratings; and more. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Resource: The New Rural Emergency Hospital Designation Program: Will It Improve Access to Care for Rural Americans?

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 09:31:17 -0500

Discusses rural hospital closures and the potential impact of the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation. Provides U.S. maps showing Medicaid Expansion states and rural hospital closures as well as data specific to REHs in Texas.

Resource: Data Driven Decisions: Using Data to Identify Health Services and Needs for Rural Emergency Hospitals

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 11:18:49 -0500

Describes the Health Services and Needs Assessment (HSNA) tool provided to Rural Emergency Hospitals (REHs) and facility exploring the REH designation. Summarizes aggregated data on health indicators and availability of preventive care across REH communities based on 36 HSNAs completed through September 2024, as well as lessons learned regarding common issues faced by rural hospitals. -- Rural Health Redesign Center

Resource: FORHP Rural Hospital & Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Finder

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 13:14:08 -0500

A tool to help identify free technical assistance services available to rural hospitals and Rural Health Clinics from six Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) supported programs. Find matching TA providers based on facility type, location, and type of assistance. -- Rural Health Information Hub

Resource: Medicare Learning Network: Hospital Price Transparency

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 10:51:33 -0500

Contains information on federal hospital price transparency regulations and compliance, what patients need to know, and a list of helpful websites. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Funding opportunity: Rural Hospital Stabilization Program

Sat, 07 Dec 2024 11:40:21 -0600

Technical assistance for rural hospitals to help improve financial stability by enhancing or expanding healthcare services that meet community needs. -- National Rural Health Resource Center

Resource: Observed Factors Influencing REH Conversion Decisions: Insights from the Rural Emergency Hospital Technical Assistance Center's Financial Modeling Process

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 10:24:05 -0600

Summarizes key findings from the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) Technical Assistance Center's financial modeling activities for rural hospitals considering conversion. Discusses barriers identified by hospitals considering REH status and common themes for why hospitals chose not to pursue the REH designation. -- Rural Health Redesign Center

Resource: The Rural Emergency Hospital Model: Year Two Progress Report

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 09:41:23 -0500

Provides an overview of the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) payment designation, including the growth in REHs through September 1, 2024, factors that contribute to a hospital seeking REH conversion, and the impacts of REH conversion. Outlines concerns identified by REH leaders, facilities considering converting to REH status, and other rural stakeholders related to the REH designation, as well as policy recommendations to address these concerns. -- Bipartisan Policy Center

Resource: Rural Emergency Hospitals (REHs)

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 16:27:39 -0500

Printable map that shows the location of Rural Emergency Hospitals (REHs) nationwide by state. Data source: data.HRSA.gov, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services -- Rural Health Information Hub

Resource: Rural Emergency Hospitals Fact Sheet

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 13:25:33 -0500

Provides a brief overview of the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) provider designation. Outlines REH payment, services, eligibility requirements, and how to apply for REH designation. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Resource: Revised: Guidance for Rural Emergency Hospital Provisions, Conversion Process and Conditions of Participation

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 08:58:57 -0500

Provides guidance regarding the enrollment and conversion processes for facilities interested in participating in the Medicare and Medicaid programs as a Rural Emergency Hospital (REH). Covers eligibility, enrollment, conversion action plans, action plans, and attestation. Includes answers to frequently asked questions about the REH program. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Resource: Voice of the REH CEO: Perspectives from Those Who Have Led Their Organizations Through REH Conversion

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 11:58:16 -0500

Summarizes interviews with executives from three hospitals that converted to Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) status regarding their perspectives on conversion. Describes the assessment of the financial feasibility of REH status, preparation of the communities for conversion, staffing and service line adjustments, and the impact of conversion. Includes legislative considerations that could make REH status more attractive to rural hospitals. -- Rural Health Redesign Center

Resource: Is Rural Emergency Hospital the BEST Option for You?

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 14:52:13 -0500

Recording of a June 6, 2024, webinar regarding the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation and conversion process. Features a discussion with three rural hospital leaders who consulted with the REH Technical Assistance Center when considering conversion. Transcript is available in the video description. -- Rural Health Redesign Center

Resource: Converting to Rural Emergency Hospitals

Fri, 17 May 2024 09:36:44 -0500

Podcast episode featuring a discussion with Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) Chief Executive Officers in New Mexico and Oklahoma regarding the conversion to REH status. Discusses the conversion process of each REH; how they built trust and buy-in from patients and communities, including state and federal policymakers; and financial considerations of conversion. -- American Hospital Association