Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) – Resources
Selected recent or important resources focusing on Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs).
Rural Hospital Financial Performance: Tools for Data-Driven Decision Making
Webinar recording featuring speakers from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) and the North Carolina Rural Health Research Center discussing two data-driven tools, the Rural Hospital Financial Performance Dashboard and the Hospital Financial Distress Index, that can provide valuable insights into the financial health of rural hospitals.
Additional links: Audio Recording, Webinar Slides
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Webinar recording featuring speakers from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) and the North Carolina Rural Health Research Center discussing two data-driven tools, the Rural Hospital Financial Performance Dashboard and the Hospital Financial Distress Index, that can provide valuable insights into the financial health of rural hospitals.
Additional links: Audio Recording, Webinar Slides
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Small Rural Hospital and Clinic Finance 101
Provides introductory information on healthcare facility finances and payment for state Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility (Flex) Program personnel, Critical Access Hospital (CAH) staff and board members, small rural prospective payment system (PPS) hospitals, and provider-based Rural Health Clinics (RHC).
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Resource Center
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Provides introductory information on healthcare facility finances and payment for state Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility (Flex) Program personnel, Critical Access Hospital (CAH) staff and board members, small rural prospective payment system (PPS) hospitals, and provider-based Rural Health Clinics (RHC).
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Resource Center
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MBQIP Report Resources
Provides a list of resources for State Flex Programs (SFPs) and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) to support them in utilizing quarterly Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Project (MBQIP) reports in quality improvement activities.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Provides a list of resources for State Flex Programs (SFPs) and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) to support them in utilizing quarterly Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Project (MBQIP) reports in quality improvement activities.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Location of Critical Access Hospitals
U.S. map showing Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). Updated quarterly.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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U.S. map showing Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). Updated quarterly.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Concordance Between Social Needs Screening and Availability of Associated Programs in US Hospitals
Examines the extent to which hospitals screen patients for social needs by analyzing data from the 2022 American Hospital Association (AHA) survey. Explores the alignment between hospitals that screen for social needs and the availability of programs to address those needs. Compares data on social needs screening and corresponding programs at hospitals by rural and urban location, Critical Access Hospital (CAH) status, region, ownership, and participation in accountable care organizations (ACOs).
Author(s): Khyathi Gadag, Keith Mueller, Whitney E. Zahnd
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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Examines the extent to which hospitals screen patients for social needs by analyzing data from the 2022 American Hospital Association (AHA) survey. Explores the alignment between hospitals that screen for social needs and the availability of programs to address those needs. Compares data on social needs screening and corresponding programs at hospitals by rural and urban location, Critical Access Hospital (CAH) status, region, ownership, and participation in accountable care organizations (ACOs).
Author(s): Khyathi Gadag, Keith Mueller, Whitney E. Zahnd
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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'Good Stewards': Rural Healthcare Experts Discuss Governance Board Best Practices
Provides an overview of hospital and health center boards, with insights from rural CEOs and board members in Colorado, Missouri, North Dakota, and Oklahoma and experts from national organizations. Discusses board orientation and ongoing education, as well as ways to improve board governance.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Provides an overview of hospital and health center boards, with insights from rural CEOs and board members in Colorado, Missouri, North Dakota, and Oklahoma and experts from national organizations. Discusses board orientation and ongoing education, as well as ways to improve board governance.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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MBQIP Quality Measures National Annual Report - 2024
Summarizes quality measure reporting rates and performance among Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) in 2024. Presents data on the five Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Project (MBQIP) domains: global measures, patient safety, patient engagement, care coordination, and emergency department.
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Summarizes quality measure reporting rates and performance among Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) in 2024. Presents data on the five Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Project (MBQIP) domains: global measures, patient safety, patient engagement, care coordination, and emergency department.
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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CAH Financial Indicators Report: Summary of Indicator Medians by State
Presents state and national median values of 30 financial indicators included in the Critical Access Hospital Measurement and Performance Assessment System (CAHMPAS). Provides an overview of each measurement and reports median values by state. Indicators represent seven areas of financial performance: profitability, liquidity, capital structure, revenue, cost, utilization, and other.
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Presents state and national median values of 30 financial indicators included in the Critical Access Hospital Measurement and Performance Assessment System (CAHMPAS). Provides an overview of each measurement and reports median values by state. Indicators represent seven areas of financial performance: profitability, liquidity, capital structure, revenue, cost, utilization, and other.
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Payer Mix Shifts and Profitability at Critical Access Hospitals, 2011 to 2023
Analyzes 1,384 Critical Access Hospitals between 2011 and 2023 to determine the impact of changes in commercial, Medicare, Medicaid, and uncompensated care on their finances. Discusses reimbursement policy based on study findings.
Author(s): Yusheng Jia, Yue Li, Xueya Cai, Samuel J. Enumah
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 4(4)
Date: 04/2026
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Analyzes 1,384 Critical Access Hospitals between 2011 and 2023 to determine the impact of changes in commercial, Medicare, Medicaid, and uncompensated care on their finances. Discusses reimbursement policy based on study findings.
Author(s): Yusheng Jia, Yue Li, Xueya Cai, Samuel J. Enumah
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 4(4)
Date: 04/2026
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2025 National CAH Quality Inventory & Assessment National Report
Presents a high-level summary of key data points from the September-November 2025 National Critical Access Hospital (CAH) Quality Inventory and Assessment. Includes data on CAH system affiliation; median average daily census and emergency department volume; median swing bed admissions and swing bed length of stay; hospital inpatient, behavioral health and specialty care, and outpatient and other service lines; CAH quality payment model participation; and CAH quality improvement topic priorities.
Author(s): Madeleine Pick, Robert Barclay
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Presents a high-level summary of key data points from the September-November 2025 National Critical Access Hospital (CAH) Quality Inventory and Assessment. Includes data on CAH system affiliation; median average daily census and emergency department volume; median swing bed admissions and swing bed length of stay; hospital inpatient, behavioral health and specialty care, and outpatient and other service lines; CAH quality payment model participation; and CAH quality improvement topic priorities.
Author(s): Madeleine Pick, Robert Barclay
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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