The study identified 172 rural hospitals that merged between 2009 and 2016 in 32 states and compared them with 549 hospitals that remained independent.
In addition to cutting maternal, neonatal and surgical care, the study also found that stays for mental health and substance use disorder from the catchment areas of merged hospitals decreased or remained stable. Meanwhile, stays increased in the comparison hospitals, showing that merged hospitals may not be meeting a community need.
Merged facilities were also less likely to be critical-access hospitals, held more beds, were more likely to be privately owned and were more likely to be located in a metropolitan area.
“Payer-supported, multistakeholder initiatives to transform rural health care to be both financially sustainable and responsive to population needs are necessary for rural hospitals to retain high-quality service lines required by their communities,” the study said.
Read more here.
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.
