Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

A Critical Access Hospital (CAH) is a hospital certified to receive cost-based reimbursement from Medicare. The reimbursement that CAHs receive is intended to improve their financial performance and thereby reduce hospital closures. Each hospital must review its own situation to determine if CAH status would be advantageous. CAHs are certified under a different set of Medicare Conditions of Participation (CoP) that are more flexible than the acute care hospital CoPs.

CAHs must be located in a rural area with a minimum of 35 mile distance from another hospital.

CAHs may have a maximum of 25 acute care inpatient beds and must maintain an annual average length of stay of 96 hours or less for their acute care patients. There is no length of stay limit for swing bed patients.

Some benefits of conversion to CAH status include:

• Cost-based reimbursement from Medicare, which has the potential to increase revenues. As of January 1, 2004, CAHs are eligible for cost plus 1% reimbursement.
• Focus on community needs.
• CAH network with an acute care hospital for support.
• Flexible staffing and services, to the extent that state licensure laws permit.
• Capital improvement costs included in allowable costs for determining Medicare reimbursement.
• Access to Flex Program grant money.

Harrison County Community Hospital is nestled amongst many small communities in a sparsely populated, vast rural area. Our patients and our employees reside in this area. Together, with vested interest, we attend sporting events, celebrations, and benefits. The hospital keeps these communities functioning and these communities keep the hospital functioning.

If you have an upcoming event or cause and are looking for sponsorship, please don’t hesitate to ask. We provide donations to a plethora of organizations annually and will surely consider giving to yours as well.

There are several secure ways of obtaining your medical records. To learn more, CLICK HERE and visit our Health Information Department online.

Because we accept a variety of insurance providers, each with specific policies variable by patient, we suggest contacting your insurance carrier directly in order to receive the most current and accurate information.

The Harrison County Community Hospital Auxiliary offers annual scholarships to high school seniors and/or adult students planning to pursue healthcare-related careers.

Applications may be submitted by mail to:
    Harrison County Community Hospital Auxiliary
    ATTN: Scholarship Chairperson
    P.O. Box 428
    Bethany, MO 64424

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION IS APRIL 15th.

Download Application