Carthage Area Hospital to keep its Critical Access designation: Congresswoman Stefanik

JEFFERSON COUNTY- Carthage Area Hospital will keep its Critical Access designation.

This development comes from the office of North Country Congresswoman, Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21). “I’m proud to deliver this critical result to ensure Jefferson County will continue to receive quality care,” Stefanik said.

“Congresswoman Stefanik and Senator Schumer’s support was crucial in securing healthcare provided by Critical Access Hospitals in the North Country,” added Carthage Area Hospital CEO, Rich Duvall.

In 2015, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services made a policy change that narrows the eligibility criteria for hospitals to certify or recertify as Critical Access Hospitals.

By inserting a more restrictive standard for what qualifies as a “secondary road,” currently designated Critical Access Hospitals may no longer meet the distance requirements to retain their certification, delivering a blow to rural hospitals as they seek to emerge from the severe fiscal challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Critical Access Hospital (CAH) designation provides hospitals enhanced reimbursement rates to keep essential healthcare services in rural communities.

In New York’s 21st District, Lewis County General Hospital, Carthage Area Hospital, River Hospital, University of Vermont Health Network – Elizabethtown, Clifton-Fine Hospital, and Gouverneur Hospital maintain a CAH designation.

Image courtesy via the office of North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik.