Willows, Calif.-based Glenn Medical Center plans to close its emergency department, with the hospital closing shortly after, following CMS’ plan to revoke its critical access hospital designation, effective Oct. 21.
“We are absolutely heartbroken to have to make this decision,” Lauren Still, GMC hospital administrator, said in an Aug. 22 news release shared with Becker’s. “Our emergency department has been a lifeline for Willows and surrounding communities, and we did everything in our power to appeal CMS’s decision. While we cannot change this outcome, our priority now is to support our community and staff through this transition. We are actively working to connect affected hospital staff with other good employment opportunities and are committed to keeping our patients informed of next steps.”
Ms. Still also confirmed with Becker’s that while GMC has a path forward to preserve its primary care and specialty clinics, the ED and hospital services will end.
A CAH designation gives facilities stronger financial support, with Medicare reimbursing costs at 101% for inpatient and outpatient services, versus 82% at many other hospitals. It also provides regulatory flexibility.
CMS informed the 25-bed hospital in April that it no longer met the federal geographic requirement for critical access eligibility, which requires hospitals be at least 35 miles from the nearest facility when traveling by primary roads, or at least 15 miles for mountainous or secondary roads. CMS’ report found GMC was 32 miles from Colusa (Calif.) Medical Center, three miles short of the requirement.
In June, hospital leaders warned that the critical access designation loss could force the hospital to close inpatient and emergency services by 2026.
Becker’s has reached out to CMS for comment and will update this article should more information become available.
Editor’s note: This story was updated on Aug. 25 at 11:58 a.m. Central Time.
