MEDITECH's Efforts to Support Rural Hospitals with EHR Solutions

In response to significant financial challenges and a trend towards consolidation, 15 rural hospitals have chosen to implement the MEDITECH Expanse platform in 2025. This move supports their aim to maintain autonomy and continue to serve their communities effectively. MEDITECH Expanse, a cloud-based electronic health record (EHR) system, has been adopted by over 250 rural sites, assisting them in coping with policy changes impacting funding, such as Medicare reimbursements and federal subsidies.

Cathy Turner, MEDITECH's Chief Nursing Executive, highlighted the importance of providing independent solutions that allow rural hospitals to meet their localized care needs without resorting to service cuts often associated with mergers. The MEDITECH as a Service (MaaS) model attracts hospitals by offering a full-scale EHR system without large initial costs, critical for institutions operating on thin financial margins. This model facilitates a customized workflow adaptive to community demands rather than a uniform system imposed by larger enterprises.

Russell County Hospital, a small Kentucky facility, is among those that have opted for MEDITECH Expanse. According to CEO Scott Thompson, this decision supports their mission to offer high-quality care while maintaining independence, thus enhancing service provision in line with expansion plans. Similarly, Union General Hospital in Louisiana has chosen the platform, with CFO Brad Adcock noting MEDITECH’s robust service and commitment to quality as key factors in their choice.

Rural health systems utilizing MEDITECH Expanse benefit from advanced technologies, including AI and analytics, which bolster essential healthcare initiatives. For example, North Country Healthcare in New Hampshire and Bingham Healthcare in Idaho have achieved recognition and set benchmarks in various health management practices by incorporating these technologies.

MEDITECH's national interoperability network, Traverse Exchange, plays a vital role in supporting rural systems by ensuring comprehensive patient data access, crucial for care coordination across different networks. This approach allows rural facilities to operate efficiently without needing mergers for data integration purposes.

Rachel Wilkes, MEDITECH's Associate Vice President, emphasized the potential drawbacks of mergers, citing increased patient costs and reduced services post-merger. By offering solutions like Expanse Outreach, MEDITECH aims to support rural hospitals in remaining autonomous and competitive, ensuring equitable access to health services in underserved areas.

MEDITECH is organizing a webinar on healthcare strategies, set for March 18, to further discuss their vision for supporting rural health.