EAMC-Lanier is turning into a Rural Emergency Center; inpatient services to move to Opelika

OPELIKA, Ala.—Officials from East Alabama Health have submitted an application to the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requesting that EAMC-Lanier be designated as a Rural
Emergency Hospital. Rural Emergency Hospitals are a new Medicare provider type enacted in the Consolidated
Appropriations Acts of 2021. Facilities designated as a Rural Emergency Hospital are licensed to provide
emergency services and additional outpatient medical and health services. Upon designation, EAMC-Lanier will continue to provide local access to emergency care, nursing home
services and outpatient services including lab work, radiology, infusion services, physical therapy,
cardiac rehab, and procedures at its Ambulatory Surgery Center. “Our organization is committed to serving the needs of our community, and designation as a Rural
Emergency Hospital would allow EAMC-Lanier to further meet those needs,” said Greg Nichols,
executive vice president and EAMC-Lanier administrator. “This change will ensure that residents of our
community have continued access to critical health services locally. “We are fortunate to be part of a strong health care system with East Alabama Health. Not every
community has that advantage, so it is nice to know we are not alone on an island and inpatient services
are available just down the road in Opelika.” VTN will update this story as more information becomes available.

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