Wyoming Department of Health

Critical Access Hospital - Wyoming Licensure Information

Important note: Following this section on Wyoming Licensure is information regarding Federal certification of Critical Access Hospitals

The definition of Critical Access Hospital is a hospital which meets the criteria required by the Wyoming Rural Health Plan and rules for designation of critical access hospitals. (Contact the Wyoming Department of Health Rural and Frontier Health Division, Office of Rural Health, for additional information regarding Critical Access Hospital designation.)

A valid state license is required prior to providing care to any client/patient/resident.

Following are the requirements and procedures through which your agency may be approved to be licensed as a provider of Critical Access Hospital services.

Click below for a license application for State licensure. Please fill out the application in its entirety and submit to our office, along with the required fee. After reviewing the regulations, please contact one of our engineers at (307) 777-7123 to discuss the building requirements and any construction review approval process. Once we have approved these items, a provisional license will be issued, and you will be able to start providing services to clients/patients/residents.

When you have clients/patients/residents for which you are providing services, your agency must request, in writing, for a health survey to be conducted. An unannounced survey will be provided by state surveyors as soon as scheduling permits. When the initial survey has been completed and the facility is found to be in compliance with the regulations, a permanent license will be issued.

A license permits an applicant to operate a healthcare facility in Wyoming. It does not enroll or certify a provider or supplier of healthcare services to participate in federal certification programs (Medicare/Medicaid).

Critical Access Hospital License Application
Please note: This license application is provided in MS Word format. If you experience problems opening the license application or want to request that the application be e-mailed to you in PDF format, please contact us by e-mail or by telephone: (307) 777-7123.

Critical Access Hospital Licensure Checklist
      Word Format    PDF Format

Critical Access Hospital Rules and Regulations
       Chapter 17 (Licensure) - 11-04-2004

Healthcare Facility Construction Rules and Regulations
      Chapter 3 - 04-03-2008
      Chapter 3 Guidelines:  Word Format    PDF Format

Map of Wyoming Critical Access Hospitals

Critical Access Hospital - Federal Certification Information

Important Notice for New Facilities
Seeking Federal Medicare Certification

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued revised survey priorities due to very substantial federal resource limitations. In light of the federal Medicare resource constraints, initial surveys for most provider and supplier types have been classified at the lowest priority level. For facilities that qualify for deemed status there is an alternate route to obtain certification and this may well be the fastest way to obtain certification this year. However, there are other types of facilities for which deemed status is not an option. The Survey and Certification Letter S&C-08-03 can be accessed for additional information.

Interpretive Guidelines (Regulations) - Appendix W

CMS Fact Sheet on Critical Access Hospitals

Link to CMS website regarding Critical Access Hospitals

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