Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare business and finance
Calendar Year (CY) 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Final Rule: Quality Payment Program (QPP) Fact Sheet and Policy Comparison Table
Provides an overview of the 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) final rule, focusing on policy changes impacting the Quality Payment Program (QPP). Describes quality measures that are new, revised, and removed for the 2027 performance period. Compares previous policies with the newly finalized policies by policy area.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Provides an overview of the 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) final rule, focusing on policy changes impacting the Quality Payment Program (QPP). Describes quality measures that are new, revised, and removed for the 2027 performance period. Compares previous policies with the newly finalized policies by policy area.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Availability of Hospital-Based Obstetric Services in the United States by County, 2010–2024: A State-by-State Report
Provides national-, state-, and county-specific information on changes in obstetric care availability between 2010-2024. Includes maps and statistics with breakdowns by rural and urban counties, including rural micropolitan and rural noncore counties.
Author(s): Kevan O'Hanlon, Katy B. Kozhimannil, Julia D. Interrante
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Provides national-, state-, and county-specific information on changes in obstetric care availability between 2010-2024. Includes maps and statistics with breakdowns by rural and urban counties, including rural micropolitan and rural noncore counties.
Author(s): Kevan O'Hanlon, Katy B. Kozhimannil, Julia D. Interrante
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Solving Georgia's Healthcare Staffing Crisis Locally
A recorded podcast featuring Jim Matney, president and CEO of Colquitt Regional Health System in rural Georgia. Discusses workforce development and rural healthcare pathways, focusing on physician residency programs, a high school practical nursing program, and collaboration with local colleges.
Author(s): Tom Haederle, Elisa Arespacochaga, Jim Matney
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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A recorded podcast featuring Jim Matney, president and CEO of Colquitt Regional Health System in rural Georgia. Discusses workforce development and rural healthcare pathways, focusing on physician residency programs, a high school practical nursing program, and collaboration with local colleges.
Author(s): Tom Haederle, Elisa Arespacochaga, Jim Matney
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Differential Effects of Social Determinants on Cancer Survival by Age at Diagnosis: A Population-Based Study in Alabama
Examines whether the impact of social determinants of health (SDOH) on cancer survival differs by age at diagnosis. Utilizes 2010-2019 Alabama Statewide Cancer Registry data on adults diagnosed with breast, prostate, colorectal, or lung cancers and analyzes survival rate alongside social vulnerability, rurality, and insurance status.
Author(s): Mackenzie E. Fowler, Geetanjali Saini, Elizabeth Baker, Mahak Bhargava, Ritu Aneja
Citation: Journal of Geriatric Oncology, 17(8), 103094
Date: 11/2026
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Examines whether the impact of social determinants of health (SDOH) on cancer survival differs by age at diagnosis. Utilizes 2010-2019 Alabama Statewide Cancer Registry data on adults diagnosed with breast, prostate, colorectal, or lung cancers and analyzes survival rate alongside social vulnerability, rurality, and insurance status.
Author(s): Mackenzie E. Fowler, Geetanjali Saini, Elizabeth Baker, Mahak Bhargava, Ritu Aneja
Citation: Journal of Geriatric Oncology, 17(8), 103094
Date: 11/2026
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Medicare Advantage Plan Availability Varies Widely by County for 2027
Describes the availability of Medicare Advantage prescription drug (MA-PD) plans in 2027. Presents data on MA-PD plan availability by county in 2026 and 2027, as well as the number of counties 10 MA insurers have entered and exited between 2026 and 2027.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Describes the availability of Medicare Advantage prescription drug (MA-PD) plans in 2027. Presents data on MA-PD plan availability by county in 2026 and 2027, as well as the number of counties 10 MA insurers have entered and exited between 2026 and 2027.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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October 2026 MACPAC Meeting Transcript
Transcript from the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission's (MACPAC) October 2026 meeting. Covers hospital cost drivers, drug price negotiation in the Medicaid program, utilization management for medications for opioid use disorder in Medicaid, access to behavioral health services for adult Medicaid enrollees with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and more. Includes rural references throughout.
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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Transcript from the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission's (MACPAC) October 2026 meeting. Covers hospital cost drivers, drug price negotiation in the Medicaid program, utilization management for medications for opioid use disorder in Medicaid, access to behavioral health services for adult Medicaid enrollees with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and more. Includes rural references throughout.
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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Rural-Urban Disparities in the Delivery and Intensity of the Medicare Hospice Benefit
Analyzes how receipt, duration, location, and frequency of hospice care vary by rural or urban dwelling among Medicare-enrolled decedents aged 66 years or older, using 2013-2022 Master Beneficiary Summary File (MBSF) data.
Author(s): Claire Ankuda, Ken Covinsky, Bocheng Jing, et al.
Citation: JAMA, 336(13), 1167-1169
Date: 10/2026
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Analyzes how receipt, duration, location, and frequency of hospice care vary by rural or urban dwelling among Medicare-enrolled decedents aged 66 years or older, using 2013-2022 Master Beneficiary Summary File (MBSF) data.
Author(s): Claire Ankuda, Ken Covinsky, Bocheng Jing, et al.
Citation: JAMA, 336(13), 1167-1169
Date: 10/2026
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Aligning Payment Strategy with Community Need: A Framework for Rural Healthcare Leaders
Describes a framework for rural health providers to build partnerships with payers. Discusses what payers need, knowing the true cost of access, defining services needed for each community, and using data and transformation planning as contracting tools.
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Redesign Center
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Describes a framework for rural health providers to build partnerships with payers. Discusses what payers need, knowing the true cost of access, defining services needed for each community, and using data and transformation planning as contracting tools.
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Redesign Center
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Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS): 2025 Performance Year/2027 MIPS Payment Year - Payment Adjustment User Guide
Provides information on Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) payment adjustments for calendar year 2027. Describes how 2025 MIPS scores relate to 2027 payment adjustments and how payment adjustments are applied. Offers answers to frequently asked questions.
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Provides information on Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) payment adjustments for calendar year 2027. Describes how 2025 MIPS scores relate to 2027 payment adjustments and how payment adjustments are applied. Offers answers to frequently asked questions.
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Paying for Clinical AI: Principles for Policymakers
Provides an overview of clinical applications of artificial intelligence (clinical AI) tools and use cases. Describes payment challenges related to the use of clinical AI. Outlines seven principles that should guide payment policies for clinical AI.
Author(s): Allison Kwon, Maya Sandalow
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
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Provides an overview of clinical applications of artificial intelligence (clinical AI) tools and use cases. Describes payment challenges related to the use of clinical AI. Outlines seven principles that should guide payment policies for clinical AI.
Author(s): Allison Kwon, Maya Sandalow
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
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