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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health insurance

Redesigning the Medicare Program: An Opportunity to Improve Rural Health Care Systems?
Presents a framework for use by those interested in the future of healthcare services in rural areas, to help to shape proposals to redesign the Medicare program. Identifies rural principles that should guide any Medicare redesign effort.
Author(s): Andrew F. Coburn, Charles W. Fluharty, J. Patrick Hart, et al.
Date: 08/2000
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute Rural Health Panel
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Calculating and Using the Area Wage Index of the Medicare Inpatient Hospital Prospective Payment System
Explains how the area wage index (AWI) was developed to adjust Medicare payments to hospitals based on average hospital wages in an area. Identifies the major unresolved issues related to its calculation and use in the year 2000.
Author(s): Anthony Wellever
Citation: RUPRI Rural Policy Brief, 5(5)
Date: 06/2000
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute Rural Health Panel
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A Report on Enrollment: Rural Medicare Beneficiaries in Medicare+Choice Plans
Reports on changes in Medicare+Choice enrollment from December 1996 to October 1999. Also identifies Medicare+Choice plans added in 1998-1999.
Author(s): Brandi Shay, Timothy McBride, Keith Mueller
Citation: RUPRI Rural Policy Brief, 5(1)
Date: 03/2000
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute Rural Health Panel
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The Effect of Market Reform on Rural Public Health Departments
Reports on how rural health departments and populations they serve were affected by healthcare system changes in the 1990s, particularly Medicaid managed care. Based on site visits to four rural public health departments in each of five states: Georgia, Missouri, North Carolina, Oregon, and Wisconsin.
Author(s): Rebecca Slifkin, Pam Silberman, Susan Reif
Date: 01/2000
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Rural Health in the United States
A comprehensive review of the health status and healthcare resources of the rural areas of the United States. Updates the book, "Health Care in Rural America", published by the Office of Technology Assessment in 1990. Preview available via Google Books.
Author(s): Thomas C. Ricketts, III (editor)
Date: 1999
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Rural Health Clinics: Rising Program Expenditures Not Focused on Improving Care in Isolated Areas
A review of the Rural Health Clinic (RHC) program. Examined whether the RHC program provides primary care access to Medicare and Medicaid recipients who otherwise would not have it. Also looked at controls in place for payments to RHCs from Medicare and Medicaid.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 02/1997
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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National Rural Health Policy: Recommendations from the First Eight Years of the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health
Summarizes activities and accomplishments of the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health from 1988-1996. Includes chapters on health workforce, Medicare payment policy, special needs of rural populations, and issues impacting rural health which the committee may address in the future.
Date: 01/1997
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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Medical Assistance Facilities: A Demonstration Program to Provide Access to Health Care in Frontier Communities
Describes the Health Care Financing Administration's Medical Assistance Facility (MAF) demonstration program, which aimed to preserve healthcare access in frontier areas of Montana by converting full-service hospitals into low-intensity, short-stay healthcare service centers. Examines the impact of the program on access to inpatient care.
Date: 07/1993
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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Tennessee Rural Health Dashboard
Dashboard providing state- and county-level data on rural access to care and rural health policy in Tennessee. Topics covered include rural definitions, poverty, insurance coverage, Federally Qualified Health Centers, Rural Health Clinics, and Healthcare Provider Shortage Area (HPSA) designations.
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Association of Tennessee
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Designation Requirements for Selected Federal Programs
Shows HPSA and MUA/P designation requirements for the National Health Service Corps, Federally Qualified Health Center program, CMS Medicare Incentive Payment, CMS Rural Health Clinic program, and J-1 visa waivers.
Sponsoring organization: Alabama Public Health
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