Lewis County General Hospital in Lowville, N.Y., has received approval from CMS to convert to a critical access hospital.
Eric Burch, CEO of Lewis County General, said in a news release the New York State Department of Health surveyed the hospital in March on behalf of CMS and confirmed the transition could be made. According to the Department of Health, Lewis County General is licensed for 54 inpatient beds, and it will reduce that number to 25.
The biggest benefit of gaining CAH status will be the cost-based reimbursement. CAHs are different from other general acute-care hospitals because Medicare pays them 101 percent of their allowable costs instead of a prospective payment. "The improved reimbursement will provide financial resources that will help LCGH continue delivering high-quality care to our patients and to develop programs designed to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve," Mr. Burch said in the release.
In March, Lewis County General signed a letter of intent to enter exclusive affiliation negotiations with St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center in Syracuse, N.Y.
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