Critical Access Hospital (CAH) Eligibility for St. Mary's Hospital-Superior

The citizens of Northwest Wisconsin request that:

The Critical Access Hospital (CAH) program was made possible through the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program in 1997.  The program provides an opportunity for small rural hospitals to increase revenue through cost reimbursement for Medicare and have great flexibility in the delivery of services.  Individual states define the criteria for rural and necessary provider requirements.  In essence, the State, through the Department of Health and Family Services and the Bureau of Quality Assurance, are responsible for determining eligibility for this federally-funded program.

Current Wisconsin State Flex Plan definitions do no allow hospitals that are located in a combined rural/urban county (which is the status of Douglas County) to apply for this designation.  We are requesting a broader interpretation of the rule which would allow hospitals such as St. Mary's Hospital of Superior that are located in combined urban/rural areas to be considered for the CAH program.