Rural Health
News by Topic: Home health
Aug 27, 2026 - Authors of a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association found that rural residents and dual-eligible patients had less access to home health rehabilitation services within 48 hours of discharge from the hospital. Results were based on data from Medicare and Medicare Advantage beneficiaries 65 and older who received home healthcare services after hip or knee replacement surgery between 2021-2023.
Source: McKnight's Long-Term Care News
Jul 10, 2026 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announces the approval of The Joint Commission for continued recognition as a national accrediting organization for home health agencies that wish to participate in Medicare or Medicaid programs. This approval is effective March 31, 2026, through June March 31, 2032.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 6, 2026 - Notice of proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updating the home health payment rates for calendar year (CY) 2027. This rule also proposes changes to the Home Health Quality Reporting Program (HH QRP) and summarizes potential initiatives to improve alignment between the HH QRP and the expanded Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) Model requirements. Among other things, this proposed rule discusses the provision of home health palliative care services and includes a request for information (RFI) on a home health specific wage index. Comments are due by August 31, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 30, 2026 - Highlights common rural hospital healthcare delivery challenges as identified by Wisconsin hospital CEOs. Discusses nursing workforce shortages, employee burnout, reimbursement rates, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, home health, Medicare Advantage, and maintaining inpatient care access.
Source: Farm Progress: Wisconsin Agriculturist