The Arkansas Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility (FLEX) Program is a federal initiative designed to strengthen and sustain rural healthcare by supporting Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). The Flex Program provides funding to help CAHs:
- Improve the quality of care for patients
- Enhance financial and operational performance
- Integrate emergency medical services (EMS)
- Supports rural hospitals in obtaining and maintaining their CAH designation
Sustaining a CAH designation enables these hospitals to receive cost-based reimbursement from Medicare, thereby ensuring their financial viability. Additionally, the Flex Program promotes population health strategies and encourages hospitals to participate in quality reporting and improvement initiatives, ultimately aiming to improve access to high-quality healthcare in rural communities.
To meet state requirements for CAH designation, a hospital must:
- Meet all Federal requirements
- Submit an Application for Final Designation and other documents
- Submit a completed community needs assessment
- Submit a local health services delivery plan
- Submit a financial feasibility study with cost projections for at least three years.
Click Here to view Critical Access Hospitals.
Contact Us
Rural Health Section
4815 W. Markham St., Slot 76
Little Rock, AR 72205
Phone: 501-280-4529
[email protected]