What does CAH stand for in the context of healthcare facilities?

In the context of healthcare facilities, CAH stands for Critical Access Hospitals. These are small hospitals that provide essential healthcare services to rural communities and ensure that residents have access to emergency and inpatient services without having to travel long distances. The designation was established to address the challenges faced by rural healthcare providers and to help retain access to care in underserved areas.

Critical Access Hospitals typically have no more than 25 inpatient beds and are required to maintain a certain distance from other hospitals to qualify for this designation. This status allows them to receive cost-based reimbursement from Medicare, helping to sustain their operations despite the financial challenges associated with providing care in low-volume settings. This is crucial for maintaining healthcare access in rural regions where larger facilities may not be available.

The other options do not align with the standard abbreviation used in healthcare to describe these specific hospitals, tending to refer to different or non-existent classifications.