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Rural Health
News by Topic: Healthcare business and finance

Nov 8, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Reform of Long-Term Care Facilities Requirements for Respiratory Illness Reporting; 2) Applications for Part C Medicare Advantage, 1876 Cost Plans, and Employer Group Waiver Plans to Provide Part C Benefits; and 3) the PACE Organization Application Process in 42 CFR part 460. Comments are due by December 9, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 8, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announcing the establishment of the CMS Health Equity Advisory Committee (HEAC) to advise and make recommendations to CMS on the identification and resolution of systemic barriers to accessing CMS programs that hinder the quality of care for beneficiaries and consumers. The Committee will focus on health disparities in underserved communities, which are populations sharing a particular characteristic or geography, that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life. CMS is also requesting nominations for membership on the HEAC. Nominations are due by December 12, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 7, 2024 - Quarterly listing of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) manual instructions, substantive and interpretive regulations, and Federal Register notices published from July through September 2024, including contact information for general questions or additional information about specific sections.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 7, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updating the home health payment rates for calendar year (CY) 2025. This rule also finalizes changes to the Home Health Quality Reporting Program (HH QRP) requirements and provides an update on potential approaches for integrating health equity in the Expanded Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) Model. Among other things, this rule also finalizes a new standard for acceptance to service policy in the home health conditions of participation (CoPs) and provides updates to provider and supplier enrollment requirements and changes to the long-term care reporting requirements for acute respiratory illnesses, among other things. These regulations are effective January 1, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 6, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) Assumption of Responsibilities and Supporting Regulations; and 2) CMS Plan Benefit Package (PBP) and Formulary CY 2026. Comments are due by January 6, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 4, 2024 - Highlights the growth of community health worker (CHW) programs across the country. Notes that CHW programs in rural areas can help connect low-income and minority communities to health systems and navigate common barriers to care. Describes the impacts of a CHW program in Huron, South Dakota, which was created through a federal grant program and is now funded by Medicaid reimbursements.
Source: South Dakota Searchlight, KFF Health News
Nov 4, 2024 - Discusses telehealth and remote monitoring tool solutions for improving rural healthcare access. Highlights the role the COVID-19 pandemic played in increasing telehealth adoption and access barriers that remain in spite of wider telehealth adoption. Discusses workforce shortages, broadband challenges, and reimbursement for telehealth.
Source: TechTarget
Nov 1, 2024 - Announcement of new policies included in the 2025 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Surgical Center final rule. Describes updated health and safety requirements for hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) to improve and expand access to quality maternal and behavioral health care. Notes policy changes including updated payment rates, staffing standards, quality assessments, training requirements, and expanded coverage for services provided outside the "four walls" of behavioral health clinics and clinics located in rural areas.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Nov 1, 2024 - Pre-publication notice of final 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; 4) payment for dental services inextricably linked to specific covered medical services; 5) updates to drugs and biological products paid under Part B including immunosuppressive drugs and clotting factors; 6) Medicare Shared Savings Program requirements; 7) updates to the Quality Payment Program; 8) Medicare coverage of opioid use disorder services furnished by opioid treatment programs; 9) updates to policies for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs); 10) electronic prescribing for controlled substances for a covered Part D drug under a prescription drug plan or an MA-PD plan; 11) updates to the Ambulance Fee Schedule regulations; 12) updates to Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule regulations; 13) updates to the diabetes payment structure and COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) flexibilities; 14) expansion of colorectal cancer screening and Hepatitis B vaccine coverage and payment; 15) establishing payment for drugs covered as additional preventive services; and 15) Medicare Parts A and B Overpayment Provisions of the Affordable Care Act and Medicare Parts C and D Overpayment Provisions of the Affordable Care Act. These regulations are effective January 1, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 1, 2024 - Pre-publication notice of final rule with comment period from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) revising the Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Medicare Ambulatory Surgical Center (ACS) payment system for calendar year 2025. This rule also updates the requirements for the Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting (OQR) Program, Rural Emergency Hospital Quality Reporting (REHQR) Program, Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting (ASCQR) Program, and Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting Program and finalizes updates to the Conditions of Participation (CoPs) for hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) for obstetrical services. Among other things, this rule summarizes comments received in response to an information request on potential modifications to the Safety of Care measure group in the Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating methodology. This rule also finalizes exceptions to the Medicaid clinic services benefit four walls requirement for Indian Health Service and Tribal clinics, and, at state option, for behavioral health clinics and clinics located in rural areas. The provisions of this rule are effective January 1, 2025. Comments are due by December 31, 2024.
Source: Federal Register