Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health insurance
The 2014 Update of the Rural-Urban Chartbook
Updates information presented in Health, United States, 2001: With Urban and Rural Health Chartbook. Highlights current trends and disparities across different levels of metro and nonmetropolitan counties, including population characteristics; health-related behaviors and risk factors; mortality rates; healthcare access and use; mental health measures; and other health measures such as teen birth rates, tooth loss, and activity limitations due to chronic disease. Individual data tables are available in an Excel file.
Author(s): Michael Meit, Alana Knudson, Tess Gilbert, et al.
Date: 10/2014
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Reform Policy Research Center
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Updates information presented in Health, United States, 2001: With Urban and Rural Health Chartbook. Highlights current trends and disparities across different levels of metro and nonmetropolitan counties, including population characteristics; health-related behaviors and risk factors; mortality rates; healthcare access and use; mental health measures; and other health measures such as teen birth rates, tooth loss, and activity limitations due to chronic disease. Individual data tables are available in an Excel file.
Author(s): Michael Meit, Alana Knudson, Tess Gilbert, et al.
Date: 10/2014
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Reform Policy Research Center
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Does Rurality Affect Observation Care Services Use in CAHs for Medicare Beneficiaries?
Describes the use of observation services across levels of rurality by Medicare beneficiaries in Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), the demographics and health status of patients receiving these services, and the characteristics of their observation stays.
Author(s): Yvonne Jonk, Heidi O'Connor, Walter Gregg
Date: 10/2014
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Describes the use of observation services across levels of rurality by Medicare beneficiaries in Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), the demographics and health status of patients receiving these services, and the characteristics of their observation stays.
Author(s): Yvonne Jonk, Heidi O'Connor, Walter Gregg
Date: 10/2014
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Observation Care Services for Medicare Beneficiaries in Rural Hospitals: Policy Issues and Stakeholder Perspectives
Seeks to provide a greater understanding of rural-specific issues surrounding hospital outpatient observation status and the related implications for rural hospitals, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), and Medicare beneficiaries. Results are based on a multi-state, qualitative analysis of input from three respondent groups: state hospital associations, long-term care ombudsman offices, and Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs). Analysis focuses on the use of observation status by Medicare beneficiaries from 2010-2013.
Author(s): Walter Gregg, Samantha Mills, Yvonne Jonk
Date: 10/2014
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Seeks to provide a greater understanding of rural-specific issues surrounding hospital outpatient observation status and the related implications for rural hospitals, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), and Medicare beneficiaries. Results are based on a multi-state, qualitative analysis of input from three respondent groups: state hospital associations, long-term care ombudsman offices, and Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs). Analysis focuses on the use of observation status by Medicare beneficiaries from 2010-2013.
Author(s): Walter Gregg, Samantha Mills, Yvonne Jonk
Date: 10/2014
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Medicare Beneficiaries Paid Nearly Half of the Costs for Outpatient Services at Critical Access Hospitals
Compares the system Medicare used to calculate outpatient coinsurance amounts for patients who receive services at Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) with the system used for acute-care hospital patients. Recommends that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services seek legislative authority to modify the coinsurance calculation.
Date: 10/2014
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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Compares the system Medicare used to calculate outpatient coinsurance amounts for patients who receive services at Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) with the system used for acute-care hospital patients. Recommends that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services seek legislative authority to modify the coinsurance calculation.
Date: 10/2014
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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Uninsurance, Underinsurance, and Health Care Utilization in Mexico by US Border Residents
Examines the relationship between health insurance coverage plans provided in the U.S. and the use of healthcare services accessed in Mexico by residents (immigrants and native-born) who live in the U.S. along the Mexican border.
Author(s): Dejun Su, William Pratt, Jim P. Stimpson, Rebeca Wong, Jose A. Pagán
Citation: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 16(4), 607–612
Date: 08/2014
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Examines the relationship between health insurance coverage plans provided in the U.S. and the use of healthcare services accessed in Mexico by residents (immigrants and native-born) who live in the U.S. along the Mexican border.
Author(s): Dejun Su, William Pratt, Jim P. Stimpson, Rebeca Wong, Jose A. Pagán
Citation: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 16(4), 607–612
Date: 08/2014
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State Innovation Models (SIM) Initiative Evaluation: Model Design and Model Pre-Test Evaluation Report
Reports on the experiences of 19 states that received federal support to work on state health care innovation plans focused on developing innovative healthcare delivery and payment models. Discusses rural concerns in these states, as well as strategies to address rural healthcare needs. Some topics addressed include patient-centered medical homes, accountable care organizations, workforce, broadband access, electronic health record adoption, and telehealth.
Date: 07/2014
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, RTI International
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Reports on the experiences of 19 states that received federal support to work on state health care innovation plans focused on developing innovative healthcare delivery and payment models. Discusses rural concerns in these states, as well as strategies to address rural healthcare needs. Some topics addressed include patient-centered medical homes, accountable care organizations, workforce, broadband access, electronic health record adoption, and telehealth.
Date: 07/2014
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, RTI International
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Affordable Care Act Plans and Premiums in Rural America
Discusses insurance premium pricing for rural populations following the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, with a focus on rating area design to create adequate networks. Examines preliminary findings from a study focused on premium prices in rural Iowa and Nebraska. Offers recommendations to maximize the number of rural Americans who receive accessible, affordable health insurance.
Date: 07/2014
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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Discusses insurance premium pricing for rural populations following the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, with a focus on rating area design to create adequate networks. Examines preliminary findings from a study focused on premium prices in rural Iowa and Nebraska. Offers recommendations to maximize the number of rural Americans who receive accessible, affordable health insurance.
Date: 07/2014
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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Rural Residents Who Are Hospitalized in Rural and Urban Hospitals: United States, 2010
Reports on hospitalized rural residents, with a comparison of those treated at rural versus urban hospitals. Includes data on patients' age, payment source (Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance), number of procedures, and discharge status. Based on data from the 2010 National Hospital Discharge Survey.
Author(s): Margaret Jean Hall, Maria F. Owings
Date: 07/2014
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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Reports on hospitalized rural residents, with a comparison of those treated at rural versus urban hospitals. Includes data on patients' age, payment source (Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance), number of procedures, and discharge status. Based on data from the 2010 National Hospital Discharge Survey.
Author(s): Margaret Jean Hall, Maria F. Owings
Date: 07/2014
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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MedPAC Report to the Congress: Medicare and the Health Care Delivery System, June 2014
Includes chapters on synchronizing Medicare policy across payment models; improving risk adjustment; measuring quality of care; financial assistance for low-income beneficiaries; per beneficiary payment for primary care; site-neutral payments for select conditions treated in inpatient rehabilitation facilities and skilled nursing facilities; and measuring the effects of medication adherence for the Medicare population. Mentions rural throughout.
Date: 06/2014
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Includes chapters on synchronizing Medicare policy across payment models; improving risk adjustment; measuring quality of care; financial assistance for low-income beneficiaries; per beneficiary payment for primary care; site-neutral payments for select conditions treated in inpatient rehabilitation facilities and skilled nursing facilities; and measuring the effects of medication adherence for the Medicare population. Mentions rural throughout.
Date: 06/2014
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System for FQHCs; Changes to Contracting Policies for RHCs; and Changes to Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 Enforcement Actions for Proficiency Testing Referral
The final rule with comment period that implements the methodology and payment rates for a prospective payment system (PPS) for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) services beginning October 1, 2014, under Medicare Part B, in compliance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Identifies the policy allowing Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) to contract with nonphysician practitioners when statutory requirements for employment of nurse practitioners and physician assistants are met, and incorporated other technical changes to FQHC and RHC regulations. Changes to the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 enforcement actions for proficiency testing referral are included.
Date: 05/2014
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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The final rule with comment period that implements the methodology and payment rates for a prospective payment system (PPS) for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) services beginning October 1, 2014, under Medicare Part B, in compliance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Identifies the policy allowing Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) to contract with nonphysician practitioners when statutory requirements for employment of nurse practitioners and physician assistants are met, and incorporated other technical changes to FQHC and RHC regulations. Changes to the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 enforcement actions for proficiency testing referral are included.
Date: 05/2014
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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