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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Healthcare business and finance

Apr 3, 2024 - Notice of final rules from the Department of the Treasury, Department of Labor (DOL), and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) amending the definition of short-term, limited-duration insurance, which is excluded from the definition of individual health insurance coverage under the Public Health Service Act. This notice also amends the regulations for hospital indemnity or other fixed indemnity insurance to be considered an excepted benefit in the group and individual health insurance markets. These regulations are effective June 17, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 3, 2024 - Highlights the challenges with access mental healthcare in rural communities. Describes a rural Tennessee program aiming to connect people with mental health needs in jails with local resources, noting that hospital closures limits healthcare options. Discusses mental health and other re-entry services offered after successful grant funding to fill gaps in care.
Source: NewsChannel 5
Apr 2, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making changes to simplify the eligibility and enrollment processes in Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Basic Health Program. This rule aligns enrollment and renewal requirements for most individuals in Medicaid; creates timeliness requirements for redeterminations of eligibility; makes transitions between programs easier; eliminates access barriers for children enrolled in CHIP by prohibiting premium lock-out periods, benefit limitations, and waiting periods; and modernizes recordkeeping requirements to ensure proper documentation of eligibility determinations. These regulations are effective June 3, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 1, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid announcing that laboratories located in and licensed by the state of Washington and that possess a valid license under the Medical Test Site law, chapter 70.42 of the Revised Code of Washington, are exempt from the requirements of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) for a period of 4 years. The exemption is effective April 1, 2024, to April 1, 2028.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 1, 2024 - Offers highlights of public health priorities identified by Governors across the country during the National Governors Association's 2024 State of the State. Discusses behavioral health, public health, maternal and child health, rural healthcare workforce, and rural facility closures.
Source: National Governors Association
Mar 29, 2024 - Notice of a proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on updates to the prospective payment system for inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) for fiscal year 2025. Among other things, this rule proposes updates to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) market area delineations for the IRF prospective payment system (PPS) wage index, proposes a 3-year phase-out of the rural adjustments, and includes proposals for the IRF Quality Reporting Program. Comments are due by May 28, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 28, 2024 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Conditions for Certification for Rural Health Clinics and Conditions for Coverage for Federally Qualified Health Centers in 42 CFR 49 and 2) Establishment of Qualified Health Plans and American Health Benefit Exchanges. Comments are due by May 28, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 27, 2024 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) ADA Dental Claim Form; and 2) Machine Readable Data for Provider Network and Prescription Formulary Content for FFM QHPs. Comments are due by April 26, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 27, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) making changes to rates contained within the VA fee schedule, which is used as part of the rate structure for certain agreements the VA uses to purchase community care under the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP). This notice also describes the VA's use of non-reimbursable codes and industry-standard business practices to ensure consistent adjudication of claims for services deemed non-billable or non-reimbursable. These changes are effective March 27, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 26, 2024 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Advisory Panel on Outreach and Education (APOE) will hold an in-person public meeting on April 18, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Eastern. Presentations and written comments must be submitted to the designated federal official by April 4, 2024. Agenda items include remarks from CMS leadership; a recap of the February 2024 meeting; a discussion of CMS programs, initiatives, and priorities; and more. Registration is required.
Source: Federal Register