Rural Hospitals Balk as Insurers Narrow Coverage Sites

Focuses on a specific Critical Access Hospital in Indiana to highlight the impact of a change in health insurance policy. Some health insurers no longer pay for outpatient MRI and CT scans unless they are done in free-standing imaging centers, which are typically less expensive. However, because hospitals have to have their imaging machines available at all times for emergencies, sending patients elsewhere can significantly affect their bottom lines, especially for small and rural hospitals. Additionally, this rule may force patients to travel further for care. (May require registration for full article.)
Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center - Category: Rural Health Source Type: news