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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health insurance

Beneficiary Experiences with the Medicaid Enrollment and Renewal Processes
Presents findings from focus groups with Medicaid beneficiaries and their representatives about their preferences communicating with state Medicaid agencies during the enrollment and renewal processes. Discusses participants' access to technology and technology as a potential barrier, as well as their experiences during the application and renewal processes.
Date: 01/2022
Sponsoring organizations: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission, PerryUndem
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Beneficiary Preferences for Communications Regarding Eligibility, Enrollment, and Renewal
Discusses federal requirements for states to provide multiple modes of communication for Medicaid eligibility and enrollment, as well as state practices to facilitate this communication. Summarizes results of focus groups on Medicaid beneficiaries' preferences and experiences communicating with state Medicaid agencies and use of technology.
Date: 01/2022
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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CARES Act Telehealth Expansion: Trends in Post-Discharge Follow-Up and Association with 30-Day Readmissions for Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program Health Conditions
Provides an overview of the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP) and examines the impact of expanded Medicare payment for telehealth services on post-discharge follow-up and hospital readmissions for HRRP conditions. Describes trends in post-discharge follow-up before and after the telehealth expansion and compares trends by health condition, sociodemographic characteristics, rurality, and follow-up method.
Date: 01/2022
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Prescription Drug Affordability among Medicare Beneficiaries
Examines the affordability of prescription drugs among Medicare beneficiaries. Explores whether Medicare beneficiaries skipped doses, took less medication, delayed filling a prescription, or did not fill needed prescriptions due to cost concerns. Explores affordability concerns by race and ethnicity, sex, family income, urban versus rural counties, and presence of select chronic conditions.
Author(s): Wafa Tarazi, Kenneth Finegold, Steven Sheingold, Nancy De Lew, Benjamin D. Sommers
Date: 01/2022
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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California Patient Characteristics by County and Facility
Interactive charts showing patient characteristics in general acute care hospital settings in California in 2022. Offers statewide data as well as comparisons at the county and facility level.
Date: 2022
Sponsoring organization: California Department of Health Care Access and Information
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Emerging Stronger After COVID-19: Priorities for Health System Transformation
Collection of papers examining the weaknesses of major healthcare sectors before the COVID-19 pandemic, how each sector responded to the pandemic, and the opportunities that exist for strengthening and transforming the healthcare system. Includes rural references throughout.
Additional links: Read Online
Date: 2022
Sponsoring organization: National Academy of Medicine
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Ending Surprise Medical Bills
Offers resources for healthcare providers and consumers regarding surprise billing regulations and policies. Includes information on payment dispute resolution between patients and providers, and between providers and out-of-network health plans.
Date: 2022
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Medicare and Beneficiaries Pay More for Preadmission Services at Affiliated Hospitals Than at Wholly Owned Settings
Provides an overview of the Medicare diagnosis-related group (DRG) window policy. Examines how much Medicare and Medicare beneficiaries paid affiliated settings, including Critical Access Hospitals, for admission-related outpatient services in 2019 that would have otherwise been covered by the DRG policy at wholly-owned hospitals. Offers recommendations to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for updating the DRG policy.
Date: 12/2021
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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COVID-19 National Emergency: Early Trends in Hospitalizations for Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program Health Conditions and 30-Day Readmission Rates
Provides an overview of the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP). Describes monthly trends in hospitalizations of Medicare beneficiaries for HRRP conditions before and after the implementation of COVID-19 emergency measures through September 30, 2020. Examines how monthly trends in unadjusted 30-day readmission rates before and after implementation of COVID-19 emergency measures and how these rates differ by selected sociodemographic characteristics, including rurality. Discusses policy opportunities and interventions to enhance post-discharge follow-up and reduce readmission rates.
Date: 12/2021
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Oral Health in America: Advances and Challenges
Report explores the relationship oral health has to overall health and wellness. Discusses the societal factors that affect oral health and oral healthcare access. Features a discussion on rural oral health disparities and access to care in rural areas.
Additional links: Errata Notice, Executive Summary
Date: 12/2021
Sponsoring organizations: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health
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