Patricia A. Whaley, Director
Hospital Services
502 Seventh Street South, Cordele, Georgia 31015-1443
Ph: 229-401-3092 ● Fax: 229-401-3077 or 229-401-3084
Email: pwhaley@dch.ga.gov
Hospital Services provides technical assistance/resources to rural hospitals to continue health care services to Georgia's rural residents. Initiatives include:
- Critical Access Hospital Program (FLEX)
- Rural Hospital Assistance Act (RHAA)
- Small Rural Hospital Improvement Grant Program (SHIP)
- Rural Access to Emergency Devices Grant Program (with the Georgia Department of Human Services’ Office of Emergency Medical Services) (www.ph.dhr.state.ga.us/programs/ems)
- Bioterrorism preparedness (with the Georgia Department of Human Services’ Office of Emergency Medical Services) (www.ph.dhr.state.ga.us/programs/ems)
- Critical Access Hospital (CAH) Program
- Promotes the continuation of health care services for Georgia’s rural residents
- Provides hospitals cost-based Medicare reimbursement for in- and out-patient services
- Allows enhanced reimbursement from Medicaid and the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) (www.dch.state.ga.us) and the Board of Regents Health Plan, plus retention of Medicaid payment for inpatient services in excess of charges
- Encourages health care networks and integration of emergency medical services
- Allows group insurance enrollment in SHBP