Rural Health
News by Topic: Specialty care
Aug 4, 2026 - The American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer has added a new accreditation category for rural hospitals with the goal of improving healthcare quality and outcomes for cancer patients. Notes that there are fewer accredited hospitals and less access to specialty care in rural areas.
Source: PR Newswire
Jul 31, 2026 - Describes a heart failure care program in rural West Virginia pharmacies. The program includes care coordination between local pharmacists and cardiovascular specialists to support consistent care and identify medication-related concerns early for rural patients.
Source: WVU Medicine
Jul 23, 2026 - Profiles a West Virginia University (WVU) Medicine clinic in rural Glenville, where two WVU neurologists drive from Morgantown once a month to see patients. The clinic serves people in rural areas who lack ready access to specialists.
Source: Association of American Medical Colleges
CMS: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request
Federal Register
Jul 21, 2026 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Transformed—Medicaid Statistical Information System (T-MSIS) and 2) the In-Center Hemodialysis Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Survey Mode Experiment. Comments are due by September 21, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 26, 2026 - Notice of proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making changes related to End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Prospective Payment System (PPS) for calendar year 2027 and proposing updates to the payment rate for renal dialysis services furnished by an ESRD facility to individuals with acute kidney injury (AKI). Among other things, this rule also proposes updated requirements for the ESRD Quality Incentive Program and includes requests for information (RFI) to inform future policies related to increasing home dialysis uptake, improving palliative dialysis, and supporting alternative dialysis schedules. Comments are due by August 24, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
CMS: Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Federal Register
Jun 16, 2026 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Conditions of Coverage for Portable X-ray Suppliers and Supporting Regulations; and 2) Requirements Related to Surprise Billing; Part II. Comments are due by July 16, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
CMS: Medicare Program; Strengthening Oversight of Accrediting Organizations (AOs) and Preventing AO Conflicts of Interest, and Related Provisions
Federal Register
Jun 16, 2026 - Notice of final rule with comment period from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) establishing provisions to strengthen the oversight of Medicare national accrediting organizations by addressing conflicts of interest; establishing consistent standards, processes, and definitions; and updating the validation and performance standards systems. In addition, this rule revises the psychiatric hospital survey process, adds a limitation on terminated deemed providers and suppliers when reentering the program, and provides technical corrections for End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) facilities and Transplant Programs. This rule is effective June 16, 2027. Comments are due by August 17, 2026.
Source: Federal Register