Rural Health
News by Topic: Healthcare facilities
Nov 28, 2025 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
(CMS) making technical corrections to the
November 5, 2025, final rule. This correction is
effective January 1, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 25, 2025 - Notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making changes to the Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and the Medicare Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) payment system for calendar year 2026, including changes to the amounts and factors used to determine the payment rates for Medicare services paid under the OPPS and those paid under the ASC payment systems. Among other things, this rule also updates the requirements for the Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting Program, Rural Emergency Hospital Quality Reporting Program, Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting Program, Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating, and hospitals to make public their standard charge information and enforcement of hospital price transparency. This rule also announces the closure of a teaching hospital and the opportunity to apply for available slots. This rule is effective January 1, 2026. Applications for available resident spots are due by February 19, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
CMS: Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Federal Register
Nov 20, 2025 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Hospital Wage Index Occupational Mix Survey; 2) Medicare Enrollment Application—Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) Suppliers; 3) Recognition of Pass-Through Payment for Additional (New) Categories of Devices under the Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Supporting Regulations; and 4) Registration, Attestation, Dispute Resolution and Correction, Assumptions Document and Data Retention Requirements for Open Payments. Comments are due December 22, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
CMS: Medicare Program; Announcement of the Re-Approval of COLA Under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988; Correction
Federal Register
Nov 19, 2025 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making corrections to the March 6, 2024, notice to add urinalysis to the list of specialties and subspecialties. This correction is effective November 19, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
CMS: Medicare Program: CY 2026 Inpatient Hospital Deductible and Hospital and Extended Care Services Coinsurance Amounts
Federal Register
Nov 19, 2025 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announcing the inpatient hospital deductible and coinsurance amounts for hospital and extended care services provided during calendar year 2026 under Medicare's Hospital Insurance Program (Medicare Part A). These rates are effective on January 1, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 19, 2025 - Describes rural health disparities in Tennessee and nationally. Highlights one Federally Qualified Health Center's prescription delivery program that also offers healthcare counseling and assistance with unmet social needs for rural older adults in Tennessee to address those disparities.
Source: America's Health Rankings News
Nov 18, 2025 - A rural Vermont mental health urgent care facility has expanded services to offer overnight beds. It is the first 24/7 walk-in mental health urgent care facility in the state and is intended to relieve area emergency rooms as well as offer care close to home. Describes the facility's place in the mental healthcare intervention space, how the program has been funded, outcomes for prior patients, services offered, and sustainability.
Source: VT Digger
Nov 12, 2025 - Summarizes discussions at a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine webinar describing barriers and facilitators in accessing diagnostic care for rural residents. Highlights projects increasing access to primary and diagnostic care including school-based health centers, mobile units, telehealth, and artificial intelligence. Notes the connection between rural community investment and improving access to diagnostic care.
Source: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine News
Nov 7, 2025 - Describes a new communication training for medical assistants in rural clinics in Nebraska. Discusses the impact of communication styles on getting patients to return for care. Notes specific training logistics decisions that reduce barriers for RHC participation.
Source: The Daily Nebraskan
Nov 6, 2025 - Highlights a food as medicine program at a rural Washington Critical Access Hospital, describing implementation and a focus on prevention to improve health outcomes. The program won the National Rural Health Association's 2025 Outstanding Rural Health Program award.
Source: National Rural Health Association