Stamford (Texas) Memorial Hospital ended inpatient care and emergency room services July 9, according to KTXS.
The hospital decided to end those services after a decline in inpatient volume left it unable to meet certain Medicare requirements.
Under rules enacted last September, a healthcare facility must average at least two inpatients per day and an at least two-night average length of stay to be considered an inpatient hospital for Medicare reimbursement. Stamford Memorial Hospital fell short of these requirements, with an average daily inpatient census of less than one patient throughout the first half of 2018.
"Inpatient hospital services cannot continue without Medicare funds," said a press release from the hospital issued earlier this month. "In addition, the yearly cost to run emergency room services is $1.7 million. In order to maintain other primary healthcare services for the area, ER services will be discontinued."
Although Stamford Memorial ended inpatient and ER services, the facility still offers a full-service health clinic, laboratory and radiology services and physical therapy.
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