Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) – Models and Innovations

These stories feature model programs and successful rural projects that can serve as a source of ideas and provide lessons others have learned. Some of the projects or programs may no longer be active. Read about the criteria and evidence-base for programs included.

Other Project Examples

The Minnesota Integrative Behavioral Health Program
Updated/reviewed May 2023

• Need: Out of 79 Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) surveyed in Minnesota in 2015, behavioral health was the most frequently cited service requested.
• Intervention: In response, Rural Health Innovations launched the Minnesota Integrative Behavioral Health Program. This initiative engaged representatives across all sectors in health integration between hospital, primary care, and community services.
• Results: Strategy sessions resulted in the creation of resource directories to improve care coordination, evaluation measurements to document results, and an overall better understanding of integrative care challenges.

Indiana Statewide Rural Health Network (InSRHN)
Updated/reviewed July 2021

• Need: To improve sustainability and financial viability for rural healthcare providers throughout Indiana.
• Intervention: A network of rural healthcare providers for Critical Access and other hospitals in Indiana that are dedicated to improving their ability to deliver efficient and high-quality healthcare for their rural residents.
• Results: The network has been leveraged to increase access to resources, coordinate services, and improve and expand healthcare access.

Leadership Development Program
Updated/reviewed March 2021

• Need: Reasonably-priced leadership education was needed for professional development of healthcare organization managers in southeastern Idaho and western Wyoming.
• Intervention: Creation of a health network providing leadership training opportunities for member hospitals.
• Results: Increased leadership and managerial quality, and decreased professional development costs for rural hospitals of southeastern Idaho and western Wyoming.