Flemingsburg, KY (July 11, 2025) - Fleming County Hospital announced in March plans to explore conversion to a new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provider type called a Rural Emergency Hospital (REH). After a thorough review of the REH designation and its benefits for rural communities like Flemingsburg, the hospital and its leadership team applied for and has had its REH applications approved by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services and CMS, effective June 1, 2025.

“We are very pleased that our applications to become a Rural Emergency Hospital have been approved,” said Kathy Vancampen, chief executive officer (CEO) of Fleming County Hospital. “Rural healthcare is an ever-changing landscape, and we are excited to change with it. This designation will help us enhance our outpatient services and strengthen our hospital for future generations.”   

Jim Clark, chairman of the Fleming County Hospital Board of Trustees echoed this sentiment.
“Approval of our application to become a Rural Emergency Hospital is a critical step in Fleming County Hospital’s work to meet the healthcare needs of our patients and the residents of our community. We will continue to work hard to seek out opportunities to ensure the ongoing viability and physical health of our hospital now and in the years to come. This new designation marks the start of a new chapter in our hospital’s ability to appropriately serve Fleming County,” said Clark.

The hospital is hosting an open house for the community to learn more about its services, the new designation and advantages it provides for patients. The event will be held on Thursday, July 31, from 12 to 2pm. Vancampen and other hospital leaders will be present to discuss the conversion to an REH and to answer questions from community members. The event will be held in the main lobby of the hospital. Guests will be treated to light refreshments and hospital staff will be available to give tours of the facility.  For more information about the event, contact Lee Ann O’Bryan, Assistant Administrator, at 606.849.5004 or Lee.Obryan@lpnt.net