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Rural Health
News by Topic: Policy

Sep 29, 2023 - Notice from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) seeking comments on proposed updates to the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) – Household and Medical Provider Components. Proposed changes include the addition of seven economic burden questions to the Core interview that will inform the context families face in paying for healthcare, modifications to questions related to food security, and the incorporation of questions on sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI).
Source: Federal Register
Sep 29, 2023 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is seeking comments on the reinstatement without change of CMS–1561 and CMS-1561A forms. The CMS–1561 form applies to specific types of healthcare providers and opioid treatment programs and the CMS–1561A form applies to Rural Health Clinics (RHCs). The CMS–1561/1561A forms are essential for CMS to ensure that Medicare program applicants are in compliance with applicable federal requirements. Comments are due by November 28, 2023.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 29, 2023 - Notice of proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announce the extension of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) exemption period for the State of Washington. The exemption period is extended April 2, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 29, 2023 - 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 2024 AIC threshold amounts are $180 for ALJ hearings and $1,840 for judicial review. These adjustments will be effective for requests filed on or after January 1, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 29, 2023 - Notice from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seeking comment on a new computer matching program between the Federal Communications Commission, the Universal Service Administrative Company, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to verify the eligibility of applicants and subscribers to Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). These programs are designed to facilitate and support access to affordable broadband services for low-income consumers and families. Comments are due by October 30, 2023.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 29, 2023 - Notice of proposed rulemaking from the Social Security Administration (SSA) proposing to expand definition of a public assistance (PA) household for purposes of our programs, particularly the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, to include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as an additional means-tested public income maintenance (PIM) program. SSA also seeks comments on comment on expanding the definition to include households in which any other (as opposed to every other) member receives public assistance. Comments are due by November 28, 2023.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 28, 2023 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services (CMS) announcing a virtual town hall meeting to be held on December 13-14, 2023, to discuss FY 2025 applications for add-on payments for new medical services and technologies under the Medicare Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS). Information on how to join the meeting will be posted on the New Technology website. The deadline to register to present at the meeting is November 6, 2023. Comments and agenda items for discussion at the meeting are due by November 13, 2023.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 28, 2023 - Notice from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seeking comments on proposals and issues related to implementing the 5G Fund for Rural America. The FCC is seeking comments on defining the areas that will be eligible for 5G Fund support. reassessing the budget for the 5G Fund, potentially reconsidering the use of adjusted square kilometers as the metric for accepting bids and identifying winning bids in a 5G Fund auction, and aggregating areas eligible for 5G Fund support to minimum geographic areas for bidding, among other things. Comments are due by October 23, 2023, and reply comments are due by November 21, 2023.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 28, 2023 - Notice from the Internal Revenue Service, Employee Benefits Security Administration, and Department of Health and Human Services extending the comment period for the August 3, 2023, proposed rule regarding amendments to regulations implementing the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA) and proposes new regulations implementing the nonquantitative treatment limitation (NQTL) comparative analyses requirements under MHPAEA, as amended by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA, 2021). Comments are due by October 17, 2023.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 27, 2023 - The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Skilled Nursing Facility and Skilled Nursing Facility Complex Cost Report; and 2) Essential Health Benefits Benchmark Plans. Comments are due by November 27, 2023.
Source: Federal Register