Federal requirements for CAHs are listed below:
1. Located in a state that has established a Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).2. Currently participating in Medicare as a rural public, non-profit or for-profit hospital; or was a participating hospital that ceased operation during the 10-year period from November 29, 1989, to November 29, 1999; or is a health clinic or health center that was downsized from a hospital.3. Located in a rural area or area treated as rural.4. Located more than a 35-mile drive from any other hospital or CAH (in mountainous terrain or in areas with only secondary roads available, the mileage criterion is 15 miles).5. Maintains no more than 25 inpatient beds.6. Maintains an annual average length of stay of 96 hours per patient for acute inpatient care.7. Complies with all CAH Conditions of Participation, including the requirement to make available 24-hour emergency care services seven days per week.8. Staff must be sufficient to provide the services essential to the operation of the CAH (e.g., emergency services, direct services, and nursing services).9. The CAH must have a professional health care staff that includes one or more doctors of medicine or osteopathy, and may include one or more physician assistants, nurse practitioners, or clinical nurse specialists.10. A registered nurse, clinical nurse specialist, or licensed practical nurse is on duty whenever the CAH has one or more inpatients.11. Inpatient and emergency care, laboratory and x-ray services are required. Some ancillary services (lab, radiology) may be provided part-time off-site.12. Emergency services are required 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Staff in the emergency room must have emergency services training/experience.13. A system must be in place with the local emergency medical system so that emergency medical personnel are aware of who is on call and how to contact them.14. A doctor of medicine or osteopathy must be available by phone or radio 24 hours a day, seven days a week.15. Facilities must have an agreement with at least one hospital that is a member of the network for: a. Patient referral and transferb. The development and use of communications systemsc. The provision of emergency and non-emergency transportationd. Credentialing and quality assurance16. CAH applicants must meet all additional CAH Conditions of Participation as established by CMS. Compliance with the CMS CAH Conditions of Participation is determined by the survey conducted by the Division of Licensure and Certification of the MSDH.15 Miss. Code. R. 9-99-1.7.3
Miss. Code Ann. § 41-3-15