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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Policy

Dec 10, 2025 - Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) seeking comments on updates to the Uniform Data System (UDS) for performance year 2026. Updates include changes to patient-level reporting and tables on selected diagnoses and services rendered, quality of care measures, health outcomes, patient service revenue, and more. Comments are due by February 9, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 10, 2025 - Pre-publication notice of a proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updating and revising the Increasing Organ Transplant Access Model (IOTA Model) for Performance Year (PY) 2, which will begin on July 1, 2026. The IOTA Model tests whether performance-based upside risk payments or downside risk payments paid to or owed by participating kidney transplant hospitals increase access to kidney transplants for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) while preserving or enhancing the quality of care and reducing Medicare expenditures. Comments are due within 60 days of the publication of this notice, which is scheduled for December 11, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 9, 2025 - The Office of Inspector General (OIG) in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) requests proposals and recommendations for developing new or modifying existing safe harbor provisions of the Federal anti-kickback statute or Special Fraud Alerts. Criteria for modifying and establishing safe harbor provisions or Special Fraud Alerts include the extent to which the proposal impacts access to healthcare, the ability of healthcare facilities to serve medically underserved patients, and more. Comments are due February 9, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 8, 2025 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the extension of an information collection titled "Medicaid Program Face-to-Face Requirements for Home Health Services and Supporting Regulations." Physicians must document that there was a face-to-face encounter with the Medicaid beneficiary prior to the physician certifying that home health services are required. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act permits nurse practitioners (NPs), clinical nurse specialists (CNSs), and physician assistants (PAs) to certify the need for home health services and to order services in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Comments are due by February 6, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 8, 2025 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Medicare Health Outcomes Survey Field Test; and 2) Hospital Notice: Medicare Outpatient Observation Notice (MOON). Comments are due by January 7, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 8, 2025 - Announcement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of receipt of an application for continued recognition of American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, dba QUAD A, for continued recognition as a national accrediting organization for Rural Health Clinics that wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs. Comments are due by January 7, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 8, 2025 - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has revoked an Emergency Use Authorization issued to Genentech, Inc. (Genentech) for Actemra (tocilizumab). The revocation is effective August 8, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 5, 2025 - The U.S. Census Bureau is seeking comments on proposed revisions to the National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH). NSCH is designed to collect data on the physical and emotional health of children age 18 and younger, including information related to access to healthcare, family interactions, and school and after-school experiences, among other things. Comments are due by February 3, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 5, 2025 - Announces in-person and virtual Indian Health Service (IHS) consultations with tribal nations and urban Indian organizations to discuss proposed IHS realignment. Enclosures with more information on the proposed plan can be found on the IHS Tribal Leader Letters webpage. Comments may be submitted by February 6, 2026.
Source: Indian Health Service
Dec 4, 2025 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announcing the annual adjustment in the amount in controversy (AIC) threshold amounts for Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearings and judicial review under the Medicare appeals process. The calendar year 2026 AIC threshold amounts are $200 for ALJ hearings and $1,960 for judicial review. These adjustments will be effective on January 1, 2026.
Source: Federal Register