The Critical Access Hospital Network (CCAHN)

Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility (FLEX/CAH) Program

Although focused on small, rural hospitals, the flex program operates at the national, state, community, and facility levels to cover a broad range of fundamental health service issues and modernization goals. State use flex resources for performance management activities, training programs, needs assessments, and network building. Efforts have included the use of a balanced scorecard approach, forming relationships with state quality improvement organizations, developing quality improvement networks, and participating in national quality improvement and reporting efforts.

The flex program requires states to develop rural health plans and funds their efforts to implement community-level outreach and technical assistance to advance the following goals:

• Improve quality of care and performance management
• Improve and integrate emergency medical services
• Develop and implement rural health networks
• Support existing CAHs and eligible hospitals
• Designate CAHs in the state

Only states with CAHs or potential CAHs are eligible for the flex program.

With questions, reach out to Peggy Wheeler at pwheeler@calhospital.org or Lisa Geraty at lgeraty@calhospital.org