Many CAHs in Kansas do not meet the "35 mile" criteria,
but are certified as "Necessary Providers of Health Services" for their
residents. The criteria for "Necessary Provider" certification
(only one of the cirteria must be met) are:
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Criteria 1. The hospital is located in a county where the percentage
of population age 65 or older exceeds the current State average of
13.83%.
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Criteria 2. The hospital is located in an area which meets the federal
criteria for designation as a Health Care Professional Shortage Area
(HPSA).
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Criteria 3. The hospital is located in a county where the percentage
of families with incomes less than 200% of the federal poverty level
is higher than the current State average of 31.2%.
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Criteria 4. The hospital is located in a county whose population
density meets the federal "Frontier" definition of less than 6.0 persons
per square mile.
What is the CAH Designation and Certification Process?
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE)
has contracted with the Kansas Hospital Association (KHA) to provide
coordination and support services for the Kansas Rural Health Options
Projects for the designation of Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) under
the supervision of the Kansas Office of Local and Rural Health.
The State affirms that the decision for a hospital
to seek designation and certification as a CAH is local and should be
supported by a community needs assessment and financial feasibility
study. Although the Secretary of KDHE is the CAH designating authority,
KHA should be contacted by any rural hospital considering application.
KHA will provide an application package along with program information
and assistance. To request an application contact Tom Sipe with KHA
at tsipe@kha-net.org or (785)
276-3116.
At such time as the hospital is prepared to comply
with the Medicare Conditions of Participation for a CAH, fully executed
copies of these forms along with supporting documentation should be
submitted to KHA for review, comment and forwarding to the secretary
of KDHE. Supporting documentation should include, but is not limited
to, results of community needs assessment, CAH financial feasibility
study, network emergency services plan, and a CAH policies and procedures
manual. A listing of qualified consultants providing technical assistance
in the development of the above documentation may be obtained from KHA.
If all application materials are in order, the facility
will be formally designated as a CAH (and a Necessary Provider, if appropriate)
for purposes of obtaining survey and certification by the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services.
After designation, a CAH survey is conducted by KDHE.
If the organization is in compliance with CAH regulations and other
requirements to participate in Medicare as a CAH provider, it will be
issued a new license by the State, a Medicare provider agreement, and
a new provider number. The CAH will be allowed to furnish and be paid
for services to Medicare patients.
Click here to
contact the OLRH staff member responsible for this program.
