Rural Health
News by Topic: Emergency medical services
Jul 11, 2024 - Pre-publication notice of a proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) addressing: 1) changes to the Physician Fee Schedule and Medicare Part B payment policies; 2) policies for the Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate program under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022; 3) updates to the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program expanded model; payment for dental services inextricably linked to specific covered medical services; 4) updates to drugs and biological products paid under Part B including immunosuppressive drugs and clotting factors; 5) Medicare Shared Savings Program requirements; 6) updates to the Quality Payment Program; 7) Medicare coverage of opioid use disorder services furnished by opioid treatment programs; 8) updates to policies for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs); 9) electronic prescribing for controlled substances for a covered Part D drug under a prescription drug plan or an MA-PD plan; 10) updates to the Ambulance Fee Schedule regulations; 11) updates to Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule regulations; 12) updates to the diabetes payment structure and COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) flexibilities; 13) expansion of colorectal cancer screening and Hepatitis B vaccine coverage and payment; 14) establishing payment for drugs covered as additional preventive services; and 15) Medicare Parts A and B Overpayment Provisions of the Affordable Care Act. Comments are due by September 9, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 8, 2024 - A new report indicates that Alabama's crisis response needs improvements to expand its coverage and effectiveness. Kim Boswell, commissioner of the Alabama Department of Mental Health, said the Opioid Commission has appropriated $3 million to help with call center capacity.
Source: Public News Service
Jun 28, 2024 - Profiles the community paramedicine program launched by the local emergency medical services department in Terlingua, a small town in rural west Texas. The Terlingua program is being funded as part of a $5 million U.S. Department of Agriculture rural development grant, with no guarantees for long-term funding.
Source: Marketplace
FRNA: Public Combined Board and Board Committees Meeting
Federal Register
Jun 20, 2024 - Notice from the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) announcing a public meeting of the FirstNet Authority Board and Board Committees on June 24, 2024, from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. Central. An agenda will be published on the FirstNet Authority website. Public attendance will be available online only.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 13, 2024 - Describes the Montana Interfacility Blood Network, a network allowing ambulances to transfuse patients with blood available at hospitals on the way to more advanced care facilities. The Network expects to benefit rural patients who have higher rates of injuries and less access to advanced care.
Source: Daily Montanan
May 29, 2024 - Discusses a shortage of volunteer firefighters in rural southwest Missouri. Notes the role of firefighters in medical response and details efforts to bolster recruitment through programs for youth and adults.
Source: KY3