Rural Health
News by Topic: Medicaid
Mar 21, 2023 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announcing its approval of the he Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc., for continued recognition as a national accrediting organization for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) facilities that wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 16, 2023 - Announces that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded 15 states each with $1 million, one-year Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) planning grants. CCBHCs were created to transform mental health and substance use treatment and provide sustainable funding for robust community outpatient mental health treatment.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
CMS: Announcement of the Advisory Panel on Outreach and Education (APOE) In-Person Meeting
Federal Register
Mar 6, 2023 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Advisory Panel on Outreach and Education (APOE) will hold an in-person public meeting on April 20, 2023, from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Eastern. Presentations and written comments much be submitted to the designated federal official. Agenda items include remarks from CMS leadership; a recap of the February 2023 meeting; a discussion of CMS programs, initiatives, and priorities; and more. Registration is required.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 6, 2023 - Describes challenges faced by rural hospitals as additional COVID-related funding ends. Highlights St. Vincent Health, a Leadville, Colorado Critical Access Hospital, which in 2022 was at risk of closing before receiving a $480,000 bailout from Lake County and an advance of more than $1 million from the state of Colorado.
Source: Fortune and Kaiser Health News
Mar 3, 2023 - Announcement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of receipt of an application for continued recognition of the Joint Commission as a national accrediting organization for critical access hospitals (CAHs) that wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs. Comments are due by April 3, 2023.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 28, 2023 - Notice of proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to revise regulations related to the counting of days associated with individuals eligible for certain benefits provided by section 1115 demonstrations in the Medicaid fraction of a hospital's disproportionate patient percentage. Comments are due by May 1, 2023.
Source: Federal Register
CMS: Application From the Joint Commission (TJC) for Continued Approval of its Psychiatric Hospital Accreditation Program
Federal Register
Feb 27, 2023 - Announcement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the approval of the Joint Commission as a national accrediting organization for psychiatric hospitals that wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs. The approval is effective through February 25, 2029.
Source: Federal Register
IHS: Reimbursement Rates for Calendar Year 2023
Federal Register
Feb 27, 2023 - Notice from the Indian Health Service (IHS) announcing the calendar year 2023 reimbursement rates for inpatient and outpatient medical care provided by IHS facilities to Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal program beneficiaries. The updated rates apply to all qualifying services provided on or after January 1, 2023.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 24, 2023 - Notice of proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) implementing Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH)-related provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. This proposed rule will provide more clarity on how the hospital-specific payment limit, the change that took effect on October 1, 2021, will be calculated. This proposed rule will enhance administrative efficiency by making technical changes and clarifications to the DSH program. Comments are due by April 25, 2023.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 24, 2023 - Montana lawmakers are trying to reduce the risk of nursing homes closures, through measures that would raise and set standards for the Medicaid reimbursement rates. Senate Bill 296 would direct health officials to consider inflation, cost-of-living adjustments, and actual costs of services in setting Medicaid reimbursement rates.
Source: Kaiser Health News
Feb 22, 2023 - Describes changes that are scheduled to occur in policies related to COVID-19 testing and treatment, emergency use authorization for medical countermeasures, liability immunity, Medicaid eligibility and disaster relief, nursing homes, SNAP benefits, student loan repayment, telehealth, and more.
Source: National Conference of State Legislatures
Feb 21, 2023 - The Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which required states to allow Medicaid recipients to stay enrolled even if their eligibility changed, will end on April 1. Healthcare officials worry about how the loss of Medicaid reimbursements will affect the financial health of their hospitals. The loss of the federal revenue is expected to be particularly hard on rural hospitals.
Source: Pennsylvania Capital-Star
Feb 17, 2023 - A new report addresses the demand for and shortages of mental health services in rural Minnesota, based on survey data and interviews with leaders in rural mental health. The report calls for upfront tuition reimbursement programs and for states to buoy the expansion of mental health-related programs.
Source: Behavioral Health Business
Feb 15, 2023 - Describes policy changes set to occur when the COVID-19 public health emergency ends. Hospitals will no longer be reimbursed an additional 20% for treating COVID-19 patients during the pandemic, and Medicaid recipients will have to re-enroll to ensure they meet the requirements for coverage.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Feb 15, 2023 - Notice of proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the implementation of portions of section 6101 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which requires the disclosure of certain ownership, managerial, and other information regarding Medicare skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and Medicaid nursing facilities. Comments are due by April 14, 2023.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 9, 2023 - Announces that the Department of Health and Human Services plans for the federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19 to expire on May 11, 2023. Specifies what will and will not be affected by the expiration of the PHE.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
CMS: Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Federal Register
Feb 7, 2023 - The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is seeking comment on the following information collections: 1) CMS Plan Benefit Package (PBP) and Formulary CY 2024; 2) Medicare Advantage Appeals and Grievance Data Form; 3) PACE State Plan Amendment Preprint; 4) Medicaid Program Face-to-Face Requirements for Home Health Services and Supporting Regulations; and 5) Generic Clearance for CMS and Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) Generic Customer Experience. Comments are due by March 9, 2023.
Source: Federal Register
Feb 3, 2023 - A University of Michigan study found that women living in rural communities had lower rates of uninterrupted health insurance before, during, and after pregnancy compared to those in urban areas. Rural women also often have limited access to local obstetric services and live farther from care.
Source: U.S. News & World Report
CMS: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Quarterly Listing of Program Issuances-October Through December 2022
Federal Register
Feb 1, 2023 - Quarterly listing of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) manual instructions, substantive and interpretive regulations, and Federal Register notices published from October through December 2022, including contact information for general questions or additional information about specific sections.
Source: Federal Register
CMS: Request for Nominations and Announcement of the Advisory Panel on Outreach and Education (APOE) Virtual Meeting
Federal Register
Jan 30, 2023 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requesting nominations for the Advisory Panel on Outreach and Education (APOE). APOE advises and makes recommendations to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) (the Secretary) and the CMS Administrator on opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of consumer education strategies concerning the Health Insurance Marketplace, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Nominations are due by February 24, 2023. In addition, APOE will hold a virtual public meeting on February 9, 2023, from 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. Eastern. Agenda items include a listening session with CMS leadership; recap of the September 2022 meeting; discussion of CMS programs, initiatives, and priorities; and more. Registration is required by February 2, 2023.
Source: Federal Register
Jan 30, 2023 - Programs and services at many Nebraska hospitals have been cut due to lack of funding, and the president of the Nebraska Hospital Association says 5-7 rural hospitals are on the brink of closure. Highlights issues related to Medicaid reimbursement.
Source: KLKN-TV