Rural Health Redesign Center

10/20/2026

Converted to a Rural Emergency Hospital?

Your revenue cycle should evolve too. From enrollment checks to outpatient-only billing rules, correct bill types, and code alignment, small details can make a big difference in reducing denials and speeding up payment.

Read our latest article for practical best practices to strengthen your REH revenue cycle from front end to back end.

Read now: tinyurl.com/3wjckfdd

Converting to a Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) is a major strategic step, but it is only the first one. Once the designation is approved, the focus shifts to operations, and […]

10/13/2026

Thank you to everyone we connected with in Pittsburgh at the 2026 NOSORH Annual Meeting last month! It was a privilege to be part of such a fantastic event and to see so many rural health champions come together to collaborate on behalf of rural communities nationwide.

Congratulations to NOSORH on 25 years of strengthening rural health. We look forward to continuing this important work together!

10/08/2026

It was a privilege to join rural health leaders from across the country at NRHA's Rural Health Clinic and Critical Access Hospital Conference in Kansas City, Missouri. The conference brought together clinic and hospital professionals, rural health leaders, and industry partners to share ideas focused on improving healthcare in rural America.

Anna Anna, RN, BSN, MHA, RHRC Chief Administrative Officer, presented "Sustaining Rural Hospitals Through Payment and Care Innovation," highlighting strategies that can help rural hospitals navigate challenges and build sustainable pathways for the future.

Thank you to the National Rural Health Association for hosting such a collaborative and innovative event.

09/29/2026

In rural areas, patients face unique challenges to accessing health care. From traveling miles for a routine checkup to the shortage of local specialists, these barriers require dedicated solutions. We believe that distance should never be a barrier to quality care.

· Nearly 70% of all federally designated "Health Professional Shortage Areas" are in rural communities.
· Rural residents often travel 2 to 3 times further than those in urban areas for emergency and specialty services.
· A rural hospital is often the community’s largest employer, supporting local businesses and schools.

Closing these gaps requires innovation, advocacy, and a deep commitment to keeping care close to home. We are honored to partner with rural hospitals to transform rural health care. Together we are ensuring that families can stay where they love, knowing that high-quality care is right around the corner.

Find out how we support rural at rhrco.org.

09/24/2026

Behind every great patient outcome is a less visible but equally powerful tool, excellent clinical documentation and intentional discharge planning.

Our latest article breaks down how turning routine administrative tasks into strategic priorities transforms provider collaboration, protects organizational compliance, and significantly reduces patient readmissions.

Discover why safe, patient-centered discharge starts on day one and strengthens the entire continuum of care. Read the full article here: https://tinyurl.com/33w44fe2

Mastering Clinical Documentation & Discharge: Turning Routine Tasks into Better Care When we think of great patient care, we often picture the moments at the bedside, the right diagnosis, the […]

09/17/2026

Rural Emergency Hospital Designation: Leading the Way

As more rural hospitals explore the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation, learning from organizations that have already completed the transition can provide valuable insight.

Join us for Rural Emergency Hospital Designation: Leading the Way, a public webinar featuring a candid fireside chat with hospital CEOs who have guided their organizations through the REH conversion process.

Hear firsthand perspectives on:
• Key considerations when evaluating REH designation
• Strategic and operational challenges encountered during implementation
• Lessons learned as first-in-state adopters
• Opportunities to strengthen access to care and support long-term sustainability
• Practical advice for leaders exploring or pursuing REH conversion

Whether your organization is in the early stages of exploration or actively considering next steps, this session will provide real-world experiences and actionable insights to help inform your approach.

Save your seat today to hear real-world lessons from the front lines of rural healthcare transformation.

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/49j4a6ct
Sept. 24 | 2-3pm EST | Webinar | Free

09/14/2026

Congratulations to Aaron Herbel of Mercy Hospital, Inc. , Moundridge, on being named this year’s Donald A. Wilson Visionary Award Winner! We’re proud to see his leadership recognized.

Congratulations to Aaron Herbel, administrator and chief financial officer at Mercy Hospital, Moundridge, whose leadership has helped strengthen the future of rural health care in his community and beyond. From guiding Mercy through its transition to the Rural Emergency Hospital model to advancing innovative financial strategies and supporting statewide credentialing efforts, Aaron has led with vision, collaboration and a strong commitment to patients and communities. We’re proud to recognize him as this year's Donald A. Wilson Visionary Award Winner.

09/10/2026

We're excited to be in Kansas City, Mo. for the NRHA Rural Health Clinic and Critical Access Hospital Conference on September 15-18. Anna Anna, RN, BSN, MHA, RHRC Chief Administrative Officer, will present "Sustaining Rural Hospitals Through Payment and Care Innovation," a session focused on helping rural communities through sustainable healthcare solutions.

If you’ll be there, be sure to find us! We’re excited to connect, share insights, and explore new opportunities to support rural healthcare together.

09/08/2026

We're excited to attend the Women in Government Medicaid Policy Symposium in Washington, D.C. to connect with organizations shaping health policy across the country. Janice Walters, RHRC Chief Executive Officer, will participate in the "Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) Conversions Keep Hospitals Open" discussion, highlighting how the Rural Emergency Hospital model is helping communities preserve access to essential health care services.

If you're attending, we'd love to connect with you and share ideas about the innovative solutions that strengthen rural healthcare and support access to care.

09/03/2026

It was a pleasure to join the Digital Medicine Society (DiMe) and Verizon in Washington, D.C. for an engaging workshop focused on the future of connected healthcare in the home and innovative strategies to expand healthcare access in rural communities. Thank you to DiMe and Verizon for facilitating such an insightful and collaborative discussion.