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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Policy

Sep 24, 2025 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Model Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Individual Enrollment Request Form; 2) Hospital Notice: Medicare Outpatient Observation Notice (MOON); and 3) Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Program. Comments are due by November 24, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 24, 2025 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) Supplemental Data Collection; 2) Medicare Registration Application; and 3) Medicare Self-Referral Disclosure Protocol. Comments are due by October 24, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 24, 2025 - Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposing to amend its regulations regarding the process by which the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) selects H-1B registrations for unique beneficiaries for filing of H-1B cap-subject petitions. DHS proposes implementing a weighted selection process that would generally favor the allocation of H-1B visas to higher skilled and higher paid aliens, while maintaining the opportunity for employers to secure H-1B workers at all wage levels. Comments on the NPRM are due by October 24, 2025. Comments on revisions of associated information collections are due by November 24, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 23, 2025 - Describes legislation passed in the U.S. House of Representatives to extend COVID-era flexibilities for prescribing medication through telemedicine for physicians in the Department of Veterans Affairs. Discusses access issues for rural veterans as well as anxiety around seeing a doctor in a clinic.
Source: Camden News
Sep 19, 2025 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the extension of an information collection request titled "Review Choice Demonstration for Home Health Services." Information collected is required by Medicare contractors to determine proper payment or if there is a suspicion of fraud. Comments are due by October 20, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 19, 2025 - Notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) amending the Medicare Advantage (Part C) regulations to establish a requirement for Medicare Advantage (MA) provider directory data to be submitted to CMS for publication online. This rule finalizes proposals that require MA provider directory data to be updated within 30 days of the date an MA organization becomes aware of changes to that data and that MA organizations must annually attest that the MA provider directory information is accurate. These regulations are effective November 17, 2025, and are applicable January 1, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 18, 2025 - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is accepting applications from qualified candidates to be considered for appointment as members of the National Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council (NEMSAC). NEMSAC serves as a nationally recognized council of emergency medical services (EMS) representatives and consumers to provide advice and recommendations regarding EMS to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Applications are due by October 20, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 17, 2025 - Highlights proposed legislation that aims to improve access to healthcare for veterans by allowing rural Veterans Administration (VA) clinics to contract with outside healthcare providers. The bill is in response to staffing issues in VA facilities.
Source: KOLD
Sep 17, 2025 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seeking comments on the extension of an information collection titled "Application for Federal Assistance SF 424 R&R forms." The SF-424 Research and Related (R&R) family of forms are used by organizations to apply for Federal financial assistance in the form of grants. Agencies may use the SF-424 R&R forms for grant programs not required to collect all the data that is required on the SF-424 core data set and form. Comments are due by October 17, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 17, 2025 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seeking comments on the extension of an information collection titled "Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) form," which provides the Federal grant-making agencies with a common and standard form for organizations to apply for financial assistance. Comments are due by October 17, 2025.
Source: Federal Register