https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/topics/rural-emergency-hospitals Rural Emergency Hospitals (REHs) resources related to rural health, with information provided by the Rural Health Information Hub en Copyright 2026 Rural Health Information Hub https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13218820/ 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. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/28038 Mon, 01 Jun 2026 09:36:50 -0500 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOPxw6WV2czSCpB9UnWSww7q_lXIJ5JsJ 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 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27948 Fri, 15 May 2026 14:10:01 -0500 https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/a7783253-58f4-4216-8cfe-2e01b6abeda3@21d97204-59c3-42d9-82ca-9e1e6995cb3e -- Rural Health Redesign Center https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/events/25207 Fri, 08 May 2026 15:33:28 -0500 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2848017 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. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27809 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 08:35:22 -0500 https://academic.oup.com/healthaffairsscholar/article/4/3/qxag056/8513104 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. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27659 Mon, 30 Mar 2026 13:33:07 -0500 https://www.shepscenter.unc.edu/download/29796/?tmstv=1774535305 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 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27632 Thu, 26 Mar 2026 09:37:32 -0500 https://rhrco.org/reh-resource/obstetric-care-in-rural-emergency-hospitals/ 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 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27355 Fri, 13 Feb 2026 14:44:49 -0600 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhSsEbo7Grs 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 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27223 Tue, 27 Jan 2026 14:29:09 -0600 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jrh.70112 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. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27175 Tue, 20 Jan 2026 09:21:16 -0600 https://www.cms.gov/files/document/r13536cp.pdf Presents the monthly Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) monthly facility payment amount for Calendar Year 2026. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27083 Fri, 02 Jan 2026 10:18:16 -0600 https://qualitynet.cms.gov/reh/rehqr 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 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27059 Fri, 26 Dec 2025 14:11:44 -0600 https://www.qualityreportingcenter.com/en/rehqr-program/ Provides information, tools, and resources related to the Rural Emergency Hospital Quality Reporting (REHQR) Program. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Health Services Advisory Group https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27058 Fri, 26 Dec 2025 14:06:35 -0600 https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/calendar-year-2026-hospital-outpatient-prospective-payment-system-opps-ambulatory-surgical-center 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 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/26893 Fri, 28 Nov 2025 16:00:00 -0600 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jrh.70079 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. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/26562 Wed, 15 Oct 2025 09:31:17 -0500 https://rhrco.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/REH-Learning-Brief-Data-Driven-Decisions-September-2025-FINAL.pdf 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 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/26409 Thu, 25 Sep 2025 11:18:49 -0500 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/hospital-ta 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 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/25358 Tue, 08 Apr 2025 13:14:08 -0500 https://www.cms.gov/files/document/mln7215754-hospital-price-transparency.pdf 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 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/25349 Fri, 28 Mar 2025 10:51:33 -0500 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/funding/6372 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 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/funding/6372 Sat, 07 Dec 2024 11:40:21 -0600 https://rhrco.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/202508-LB_Observed-Factors-Influencing-REH-Conversion_10-2024.pdf 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 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/24619 Fri, 22 Nov 2024 10:24:05 -0600 https://bipartisanpolicy.org/download/?file=/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Final_BPC_Rural_Emergency_Hospital_2024.pdf 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 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/24369 Wed, 23 Oct 2024 09:41:23 -0500 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/rural-maps/mapfiles/rural-emergency-hospitals.png?v=1020 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 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/24157 Tue, 24 Sep 2024 16:27:39 -0500 https://www.cms.gov/files/document/rural-emergency-hospitals-factsheet-september-2024.pdf 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 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/24071 Wed, 11 Sep 2024 13:25:33 -0500 https://www.cms.gov/files/document/qso-24-20-reh-revised-2024-09-06.pdf 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 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/24039 Tue, 10 Sep 2024 08:58:57 -0500 https://rhrco.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Learning-Brief-Voice-of-the-REH-CEO_FINAL.pdf 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 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/23808 Mon, 12 Aug 2024 11:58:16 -0500 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTS_2idWdys 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 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/23488 Wed, 19 Jun 2024 14:52:13 -0500 https://www.aha.org/advancing-health-podcast/2024-05-17-converting-rural-emergency-hospitals 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 https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/23241 Fri, 17 May 2024 09:36:44 -0500 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knubPMM2FaE Recording of a February 8, 2024, webinar discussing the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) program. Provides an overview of the REH designation, policy and regulatory requirements, REH Technical Assistance Center (TAC) services, and REH conversion timeline. Features a discussion with Jeff Bowman, Chief Executive Officer of South Central Kansas Medical Center, regarding the facility's conversion to REH status. -- Rural Health Redesign Center https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/22953 Fri, 05 Apr 2024 13:26:53 -0500 https://www.cms.gov/priorities/key-initiatives/hospital-price-transparency Offers resources for healthcare providers and consumers regarding hospital price transparency regulations and policies. Includes links to a GitHub repository of resources for templates and technical instructions and tools to support hospitals in meeting accessibility and machine-readable file requirements. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/22813 Mon, 18 Mar 2024 15:46:00 -0500 https://www.medpac.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Mar24_Ch15_MedPAC_Report_To_Congress_SEC.pdf Provides an overview of the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation. Discusses the evolution of Medicare's support for rural hospitals through payment policies and the impact of declining inpatient volumes on rural hospitals' financial sustainability. Describes the characteristics of hospitals that converted to REH status in 2023, the first year of the designation. -- Medicare Payment Advisory Commission https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/22788 Fri, 15 Mar 2024 14:03:47 -0500 https://www.chartis.com/sites/chartis/files/documents/chartis_rural_study_pressure_pushes_rural_safety_net_crisis_into_uncharted_territory_feb_15_2024_fnl.pdf Examines financial and operational metrics for rural hospitals. Discusses the growth of Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollment in rural communities between 2019 and 2023, the impact of MA on rural hospital reimbursement, how the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation can provide a path forward for some rural facilities, and the discontinuation of obstetrics and chemotherapy services at rural hospitals since 2011. Includes the percentage of rural hospitals in each state vulnerable to closure and nine factors significantly associated with rural hospital vulnerability. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/22586 Tue, 13 Feb 2024 19:31:18 -0600