Final answer:
A small rural hospital that qualifies as a Critical Access Hospital receives enhanced reimbursement for Medicare patients, which helps ensure financial stability and continued service to the community.
Step-by-step explanation:
A small rural hospital that qualifies for the designation of Critical Access Hospital reaps financial benefits by receiving enhanced reimbursement for the care they provide to Medicare patients. The Critical Access Hospital (CAH) program was established by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to help ensure access to healthcare services in rural areas. CAHs receive cost-based reimbursement from Medicare, meaning that they are reimbursed for their actual costs of providing care rather than a predetermined rate. This provides financial stability for these hospitals and helps them continue to serve their communities.