Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Valley Regional Hospital has been designated a Critical Access Hospital by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This designation recognizes the valuable role the hospital plays in the community by providing residents access to 24-hour emergency care, primary care, and other critical services.

The Critical Access Hospital (CAH) program was created by Congress in 1999 as a way to support small, rural hospitals. To be designated CAH, a hospital must have an emergency department, be isolated geographically from other hospitals, and provide necessary services to a community.

Critical Access Hospitals are reimbursed for the services provided to Medicare recipients on a cost basis, instead of flat rate basis. As a result, the program provides additional financial support to small hospitals to ensure their success. Valley Regional Hospital also submits to regular examinations and evaluations conducted by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the federal agency responsible for administering such health-related programs as Medicare, Medicaid and HIPAA.