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Critical Access Hospital (CAH)

A designation given to eligible rural hospitals by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). These hospitals typically have 25 or fewer inpatient beds and are located more than 35 miles from another hospital, designed to keep essential healthcare services available in rural areas.

Veterans Community Care Program

A program that allows eligible veterans to receive healthcare from non-VA healthcare providers in their local community, paid for by the VA. This is an option when VA facilities cannot provide timely or geographically convenient care.

Provider-based rural health clinic

A clinic located in a rural area that is owned and operated by a hospital (often a Critical Access Hospital). These clinics provide primary healthcare services to underserved rural populations.

Prior Authorization

An approval from a health insurance plan (in this case, the VA) that is required before a medical service, treatment, or medication can be provided or covered. It ensures the service is medically necessary.

Title 38, United States Code

The section of U.S. federal law that deals with veterans' benefits and services, including healthcare, education, and disability compensation.

Medicare Program

A federal health insurance program for people 65 or older, certain younger people with disabilities, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant).