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Rural Health
News by Topic: Telehealth

May 4, 2021 - Describes challenges to receiving timely and appropriate stroke care for rural residents in Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta. Shares the story of a rural resident in Fentress County, Tennessee who suffered a stroke two months after the local hospital closed and she was flown over 100 miles away to a hospital that was able to provide advanced stroke care. Highlights the benefits of telestroke programs to improve stroke care in rural areas.
Source: Kaiser Health News
May 3, 2021 - Features a neuropsychologist at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Bedford Healthcare System in Massachusetts and describes how she utilized existing telehealth services to provide rural veterans with care for cognitive issues. Provides an overview of her research that found both in-person visitors and tele-users of the neuropsychology clinic were satisfied with the care they received.
Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Apr 29, 2021 - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that the application window for Round 2 of the COVID-19 Telehealth Program is open through Thursday, May 6, 2021. This round includes just under $250 million to provide healthcare providers with reimbursement for telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: Federal Communications Commission
Apr 15, 2021 - The Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Wireline Competition Bureau announced they will accept applications for the second round of the COVID-19 Telehealth Program between April 29-May 6, 2021. Round two includes almost $250 million to support the utilization of telehealth services during the pandemic.
Source: Federal Communications Commission
Apr 13, 2021 - Features a Colorado nonprofit organization that offers virtual classes on transgender care to rural healthcare providers. Describes the challenges transgender people face when accessing care, particularly in rural America, and discusses how the classes educate providers and aim to increase access to gender-affirming care.
Source: The Colorado Trust
Apr 12, 2021 - Notice of final rule from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) extending the administrative responsibilities of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) and directing USAC to administer the remainder of Round 1 and all of Round 2 funding for the COVID-19 Telehealth Program. This rule is effective April 12, 2021, and applicable February 2, 2021.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 9, 2021 - Notice of final rule from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) establishes rules and processes to further distribute funding through the COVID-19 Telehealth Program to healthcare providers. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA) provides $249.95 million in new funds for Round 2 of the program to help healthcare providers offer telehealth and connected care services. This rule adopts additional requirements, processes, and application evaluation metrics for Round 2 funding as outlined in the CAA. This rule is effective April 9, 2021.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 9, 2021 - The National Quality Forum (NQF) requests public comments on the Environmental Scan Draft Report, Leveraging Quality Measurement to Improve Rural Health, Telehealth, and Healthcare System Readiness. The report includes an overview of policies and measures related to telehealth, healthcare system readiness, and rural health outcomes in disasters. Comments are due May 7, 2021.
Source: National Quality Forum
Apr 5, 2021 - Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) seeking comments on an information collection request regarding changes to Rural Health Network Development measures. The proposed changes include additional questions surrounding the network's components of sustainability, modifications to questions on health information technology and telehealth, and additional National Quality Forum measures. Comments are due by May 5, 2021.
Source: Federal Register
CMS: Medicare Program; CY 2021 Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Changes to Part B Payment Policies; Medicare Shared Savings Program Requirements; Medicaid Promoting Interoperability Program Requirements for Eligible Professionals; Quality Payment Program; Coverage of Opioid Use Disorder Services Furnished by Opioid Treatment Programs; Medicare Enrollment of Opioid Treatment Programs; Electronic Prescribing for Controlled Substances for a Covered Part D Drug; Payment for Office/Outpatient Evaluation and Management Services; Hospital IQR Program; Establish New Code Categories; Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP) Expanded Model Emergency Policy; Coding and Payment for Virtual Check-In Services Interim Final Rule Policy; Coding and Payment for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Interim Final Rule Policy; Regulatory Revisions in Response to the Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19; and Finalization of Certain Provisions From the March 31st, May 8th and September 2nd Interim Final Rules in Response to the PHE for COVID-19; Correction Federal Register
Mar 18, 2021 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) making technical corrections to the December 28, 2020, final rule. This correction is effective March 18, 2021, and is applicable January 1, 2021.
Source: Federal Register