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Florence Hospital, LLC dba Florence Community Healthcare
Granted Critical Access Status
Florence Community Healthcare, 450 West Adamsville Road in Florence, Arizona, received an official notification letter, dated October 3, 2011 from the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, granting Florence Community Healthcare Critical Access status, retroactive to September 8, 2011. This sought after designation was granted after the hospital successfully completed the specific requirements and review process needed for approval.
This certification allows Florence Community Healthcare to receive cost-based reimbursements from the Federal Government for Medicare services the hospital provides for patients. Prior to Critical Access status, Florence Community Healthcare was paid for services to Medicare patients through a “prospective payment system”, based on predetermined compensation amounts correlated to patient diagnosis, rather than actual number of treatments, interventions or length of stay. The reimbursement that Critical Access Hospitals receive is intended to improve their financial performance allowing rural facilities struggling with program cuts to remain open and continue providing improved medical care for their communities and attract Physician Specialists such as Orthopaedic Surgeons, Urologists, etc. who would not normally practice in a rural community.
In addition to the increased revenue gained through reimbursements proportionate to treatment costs, Florence Community Healthcare will be eligible for additional government funding and grant opportunities. The essential services that the hospital provides to the community will be firmly maintained and the Hospital is better poised to explore the community’s additional healthcare needs. Critical Access Hospital criteria include, but are not limited to: the number of inpatient beds (maximum 25); average length of patient stay (96 hours); the availability of 24-hour emergency services, laboratory and radiology services, operating room(s), physical therapy, and network agreements with other hospitals to include patient referral and transfer, transportation services, and communication.
The Federal Critical Access Hospital program was developed after the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 to ensure that small, rural health care centers and hospitals continue to be available to the communities that need them. The Critical Access Hospital program will help the hospital with future endeavors such as a CATH Lab, expanded imaging equipment, etc. and will ensure the hospital will be able to meet future financial obligations. Other eligibility factors are location (rural as defined by State), state certification as a necessary provider, and adherence to all Department of Public Health guidelines and standards. Critical Access Hospitals must engage in networking with other healthcare facilities and providers, quality assurance initiatives, and community development opportunities.
For additional information on the services provided by Florence Community Healthcare, visit the Hospital’s website at www.florencecommunityhealthcare.com or call (520)868-3000.
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