Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare business and finance
AHEAD CMS-Designed Medicare FFS Hospital Global Budget Calculator Tool for Critical Access Hospital
Provides an overview and demonstration of the CMS-Designed Medicare Fee-for-Service Hospital Global Budget (HGB) Calculator Tool for Critical Access Hospitals, which aims to support eligible CAHs in understanding the key elements of the AHEAD Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) HGB methodology. Discusses key differences in the hospital global budget construction and methodology for critical access hospitals and fee-for-service hospitals.
Additional links: AHEAD Model CMS-Designed Medicare FFS Critical Access Hospital Global Budget Calculator Tool, AHEAD Model: CMS-Designed Medicare Hospital Global Budget Critical Access Hospital Calculator Tool At-A-Glance
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Provides an overview and demonstration of the CMS-Designed Medicare Fee-for-Service Hospital Global Budget (HGB) Calculator Tool for Critical Access Hospitals, which aims to support eligible CAHs in understanding the key elements of the AHEAD Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) HGB methodology. Discusses key differences in the hospital global budget construction and methodology for critical access hospitals and fee-for-service hospitals.
Additional links: AHEAD Model CMS-Designed Medicare FFS Critical Access Hospital Global Budget Calculator Tool, AHEAD Model: CMS-Designed Medicare Hospital Global Budget Critical Access Hospital Calculator Tool At-A-Glance
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Prepublication Requirements: Obstetrical Services Requirements
Outlines new and revised Joint Commission standards and Elements of Performance (EPs) for Critical Access Hospitals to align with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Conditions of Participation (CoPs) regarding obstetric care.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Joint Commission
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Outlines new and revised Joint Commission standards and Elements of Performance (EPs) for Critical Access Hospitals to align with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Conditions of Participation (CoPs) regarding obstetric care.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Joint Commission
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Critical Access Hospital and Hospital Requirements Streamlined to Reduce Burden
Outlines streamlined Joint Commission requirements for accreditation and Elements of Performance (EPs) for hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). Includes links to survey process guides, disposition reports, and crosswalk and crosswalk compare reports for each deemed program's Conditions of Participation and the equivalent Joint Commission EPs.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Joint Commission
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Outlines streamlined Joint Commission requirements for accreditation and Elements of Performance (EPs) for hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). Includes links to survey process guides, disposition reports, and crosswalk and crosswalk compare reports for each deemed program's Conditions of Participation and the equivalent Joint Commission EPs.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Joint Commission
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Prepublication Requirements: Revisions to Rural Health Clinic Requirements to Align with CMS CfCs
Outlines revisions to Joint Commission standards and Elements of Performance (EPs) for Rural Health Clinics. Changes reflect regulatory updates that were effective January 1, 2025, regarding the provision of primary care services and basic laboratory services requirements.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Joint Commission
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Outlines revisions to Joint Commission standards and Elements of Performance (EPs) for Rural Health Clinics. Changes reflect regulatory updates that were effective January 1, 2025, regarding the provision of primary care services and basic laboratory services requirements.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Joint Commission
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FY 2026 Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) and Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System (LTCH PPS) Final Rule — CMS-1833-F
Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) fiscal year 2026 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 and the discontinuation of the low-wage index hospital policy for FY 2026 and subsequent years.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) fiscal year 2026 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 and the discontinuation of the low-wage index hospital policy for FY 2026 and subsequent years.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Financial Performance of Rural and Urban Nursing Homes: A Comparative Analysis
Presents a study comparing the financial performance between rural and urban nursing homes. Discusses the different structural barriers and facilitators that affect the operating margins in rural and urban facilities.
Author(s): Gregory N. Orewa, Rohit Pradhan, Akbar Ghiasi, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(3), e70053
Date: 07/2025
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Presents a study comparing the financial performance between rural and urban nursing homes. Discusses the different structural barriers and facilitators that affect the operating margins in rural and urban facilities.
Author(s): Gregory N. Orewa, Rohit Pradhan, Akbar Ghiasi, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(3), e70053
Date: 07/2025
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Quickstart Roadmap for a Solo Tele-Nutrition Practice
Guide outlining steps to setting up a solo tele-nutrition practice. Discusses technology selection, workflow design, and patient engagement.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Telehealth Technology Assessment Resource Center
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Guide outlining steps to setting up a solo tele-nutrition practice. Discusses technology selection, workflow design, and patient engagement.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Telehealth Technology Assessment Resource Center
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Use of Telebehavioral Health Services by Critical Access Hospitals in the United States: A Qualitative Study of the Impacts of Medicare Flexibilities and Future Opportunities
Analyzes interviews with 22 Critical Access Hospital (CAH) administrators and providers to identify how telebehavioral health is used in CAHs, the impact of Medicare billing flexibility, and opportunities and challenges for telebehavioral healthcare moving forward.
Author(s): Christopher M. Shea, Sharita Thomas, Marah Maaita, Heidi O'Connor, Yvonne Jonk
Citation: Digital Health, 11
Date: 07/2025
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Analyzes interviews with 22 Critical Access Hospital (CAH) administrators and providers to identify how telebehavioral health is used in CAHs, the impact of Medicare billing flexibility, and opportunities and challenges for telebehavioral healthcare moving forward.
Author(s): Christopher M. Shea, Sharita Thomas, Marah Maaita, Heidi O'Connor, Yvonne Jonk
Citation: Digital Health, 11
Date: 07/2025
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Proposed CY 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule: Fact Sheet
Fact sheet covering Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) telehealth policy changes for 2026 as outlined in the final calendar year (CY) 2026 Physician Fee Schedule. Covers the process for determining which services can be delivered by telehealth; frequency limitations for inpatient visits, nursing facilities, and critical care consults; direct supervision through the use of live video; payment to Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs); and more.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Center for Connected Health Policy: The National Telehealth Policy Resource Center
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Fact sheet covering Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) telehealth policy changes for 2026 as outlined in the final calendar year (CY) 2026 Physician Fee Schedule. Covers the process for determining which services can be delivered by telehealth; frequency limitations for inpatient visits, nursing facilities, and critical care consults; direct supervision through the use of live video; payment to Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs); and more.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Center for Connected Health Policy: The National Telehealth Policy Resource Center
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Partners in Progress: Pursuing Medical-Dental Integration in Ohio
Report explores dental health integration into primary care in Ohio and a way to expand oral healthcare access in the state. Discusses access issues in rural area, shortage areas, among Medicaid recipients, and details how integration can help close the gap.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: CareQuest Institute for Oral Health
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Report explores dental health integration into primary care in Ohio and a way to expand oral healthcare access in the state. Discusses access issues in rural area, shortage areas, among Medicaid recipients, and details how integration can help close the gap.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: CareQuest Institute for Oral Health
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