Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare business and finance
The Power of Partnerships: Health Centers & Rural Hospitals
Presents case studies describing partnerships between health centers and rural hospitals in New Hampshire, North Dakota, and Pennsylvania that aim to strengthen access, improve outcomes, and build long-term sustainability. Identifies key themes and actionable strategies that can be adapted across rural communities.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Community Health Centers
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Presents case studies describing partnerships between health centers and rural hospitals in New Hampshire, North Dakota, and Pennsylvania that aim to strengthen access, improve outcomes, and build long-term sustainability. Identifies key themes and actionable strategies that can be adapted across rural communities.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Community Health Centers
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Geographical Access to Preferred Pharmacies in Medicare Part D
Analyzes access to preferred pharmacies in Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (PDPs) and Medicare Advantage PDPs (MAPDs). Utilizes multiple data sources to examine the nearest preferred pharmacy in MAPDs and stand-alone PDPs across rural and urban ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs). Discusses geographic disparities related to PDP and MAPD access.
Author(s): Pinka Chatterji, Yiran Han, Chun-Yu Ho
Citation: The American Journal of Managed Care, 32, 7
Date: 07/2026
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Analyzes access to preferred pharmacies in Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (PDPs) and Medicare Advantage PDPs (MAPDs). Utilizes multiple data sources to examine the nearest preferred pharmacy in MAPDs and stand-alone PDPs across rural and urban ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs). Discusses geographic disparities related to PDP and MAPD access.
Author(s): Pinka Chatterji, Yiran Han, Chun-Yu Ho
Citation: The American Journal of Managed Care, 32, 7
Date: 07/2026
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Report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services: Improving Multi-Payer Alignment in Value-Based Care
Summarizes findings from the Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee's (PTAC) review of information on improving multi-payer alignment in value-based care. Describes key issues and characteristics related to improving multi-payer alignment in value-based care from proposals that have previously been submitted to PTAC. Includes rural references and considerations throughout.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Summarizes findings from the Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee's (PTAC) review of information on improving multi-payer alignment in value-based care. Describes key issues and characteristics related to improving multi-payer alignment in value-based care from proposals that have previously been submitted to PTAC. Includes rural references and considerations throughout.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Rural Clinically Integrated Network Readiness Assessment Tool
Self-assessment tool designed to help rural healthcare organizations evaluate their readiness for participation in a clinically integrated network (CIN) and identify strategic considerations and opportunities for successful CIN participation.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Value
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Self-assessment tool designed to help rural healthcare organizations evaluate their readiness for participation in a clinically integrated network (CIN) and identify strategic considerations and opportunities for successful CIN participation.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Value
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Collaboration to Contracting: A Guide to Rural Clinically Integrated Networks
Identifies 5 pillars of successful rural clinically integrated network (CIN) development. Covers legal matters, governance, care delivery, data infrastructure, and financial sustainability. Includes action steps for administrators of CINs.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Value
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Identifies 5 pillars of successful rural clinically integrated network (CIN) development. Covers legal matters, governance, care delivery, data infrastructure, and financial sustainability. Includes action steps for administrators of CINs.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Value
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Health Care Access, Preventive Care, and Affordability Among Rural Adults With Cardiometabolic Conditions: Medicare Advantage Versus Traditional Medicare
Examines the differences in healthcare experiences for rural adults with cardiometabolic conditions who are enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA) versus traditional Medicare. Utilizes 2021-2022 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey data from 4,274 rural beneficiaries and analyzes MA versus traditional Medicare coverage related to issues such as healthcare access, preventive care, and affordability.
Author(s): Nicholas Chiu, Andrew Oseran, Archana P. Tale, Rishi K. Wadhera
Citation: Journal of the American Heart Association, 15, 15
Date: 07/2026
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Examines the differences in healthcare experiences for rural adults with cardiometabolic conditions who are enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA) versus traditional Medicare. Utilizes 2021-2022 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey data from 4,274 rural beneficiaries and analyzes MA versus traditional Medicare coverage related to issues such as healthcare access, preventive care, and affordability.
Author(s): Nicholas Chiu, Andrew Oseran, Archana P. Tale, Rishi K. Wadhera
Citation: Journal of the American Heart Association, 15, 15
Date: 07/2026
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Calendar Year 2026 Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program Guide for Eligible Hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals
Provides an overview of the requirements of the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program for calendar year 2026. Covers information about participation requirements, measures, data submission, and helpful resources.
Additional links: Infographic
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Health Services Advisory Group
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Provides an overview of the requirements of the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program for calendar year 2026. Covers information about participation requirements, measures, data submission, and helpful resources.
Additional links: Infographic
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Health Services Advisory Group
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FY 2027 Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System and Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System Final Rule (CMS-1849-F)
Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) fiscal year 2027 hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) and long-term care hospital prospective payment system (LTCH PPS) final rule. Includes information about the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program, the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting Program, the Long-Term Care Hospital Quality Reporting Program, and more.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) fiscal year 2027 hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) and long-term care hospital prospective payment system (LTCH PPS) final rule. Includes information about the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program, the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting Program, the Long-Term Care Hospital Quality Reporting Program, and more.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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How Medicaid Directors Stay Connected to Members: Lessons from Pennsylvania, Nevada, and Wisconsin
Examines how Medicaid leaders field feedback from their members and stay engaged with their communities. Includes information from a Medicaid director in Nevada who toured the state to learn about local perspectives of Medicaid providers and members living in rural and frontier areas. Wisconsin example shows how feedback was used to inform the state's Rural Health Transformation proposal, while Pennsylvania focused on providing better coordination of services to members.
Author(s): Disha Williams
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Care Strategies
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Examines how Medicaid leaders field feedback from their members and stay engaged with their communities. Includes information from a Medicaid director in Nevada who toured the state to learn about local perspectives of Medicaid providers and members living in rural and frontier areas. Wisconsin example shows how feedback was used to inform the state's Rural Health Transformation proposal, while Pennsylvania focused on providing better coordination of services to members.
Author(s): Disha Williams
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Care Strategies
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Mobile Health Operations: A Foundational Planning Guide for Health Centers
Offers guidance to health center leaders and staff regarding the core planning and operational decisions needed to launch, standardize, optimize, and sustain mobile service delivery. Covers service design, workflows and staffing, partnerships, data/technology, regulatory scope and compliance, and performance measurement.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Community Health Centers
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Offers guidance to health center leaders and staff regarding the core planning and operational decisions needed to launch, standardize, optimize, and sustain mobile service delivery. Covers service design, workflows and staffing, partnerships, data/technology, regulatory scope and compliance, and performance measurement.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Community Health Centers
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