Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare facilities
Digital Innovations at Community Health Centers: AI Ambient Scribing in Rural Health Care
Describes how artificial intelligence (AI) ambient scribing technology is used in community health centers and its potential implications for rural and frontier health centers. Covers the documentation experience, impact on comprehensive care, and patient experience.
Author(s): Katie Coleman, Nicole Van Borkulo
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: Commonwealth Fund
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Describes how artificial intelligence (AI) ambient scribing technology is used in community health centers and its potential implications for rural and frontier health centers. Covers the documentation experience, impact on comprehensive care, and patient experience.
Author(s): Katie Coleman, Nicole Van Borkulo
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: Commonwealth Fund
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Where Primary Care and Clinical Pharmacy Services 'Intersect': Louisiana Program Helps Patients Understand and Manage Medications
Features a program at Arbor Family Health in Louisiana that connects chronic disease patients with nurse health coaches and clinical pharmacists. Shares how pharmacy faculty and students from the Xavier University of Louisiana's College of Pharmacy conduct annual comprehensive medication reviews by phone.
Author(s): Gretel Kauffman
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Features a program at Arbor Family Health in Louisiana that connects chronic disease patients with nurse health coaches and clinical pharmacists. Shares how pharmacy faculty and students from the Xavier University of Louisiana's College of Pharmacy conduct annual comprehensive medication reviews by phone.
Author(s): Gretel Kauffman
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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State-Level Medicaid Expansion and Hospital, Federally Qualified Health Center, and Rural Health Clinic Availability
Explores the association between state Medicaid expansion and the availability of hospitals, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) in states that expanded Medicaid between 2014-2016. Examines the presence of hospitals, FQHCs, and RHCs in urban and rural counties between 2010-2019.
Author(s): Elliott Paintsil, Sebastian Linde
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70159
Date: 05/2026
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Explores the association between state Medicaid expansion and the availability of hospitals, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) in states that expanded Medicaid between 2014-2016. Examines the presence of hospitals, FQHCs, and RHCs in urban and rural counties between 2010-2019.
Author(s): Elliott Paintsil, Sebastian Linde
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70159
Date: 05/2026
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Transforming Rural Health: Strategies from the Field - Workforce Development
A brief providing strategies for addressing rural healthcare workforce shortages. Discusses how healthcare facilities can use workforce pathways and other training and education programs to improve workforce availability.
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Georgia Health Policy Center
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A brief providing strategies for addressing rural healthcare workforce shortages. Discusses how healthcare facilities can use workforce pathways and other training and education programs to improve workforce availability.
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Georgia Health Policy Center
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MedPAC Comment on CMS's Proposed Rule on Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility for FY 2027
Comments on an April 6, 2026, Federal Register proposed rule addressing updates to the prospective payment system for inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) for fiscal year 2026. Includes comments on the potential creation of an IRF-specific wage index and refinements to the IRF payment system, such as changes to IRF patient clinical classification. Includes rural considerations throughout.
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Comments on an April 6, 2026, Federal Register proposed rule addressing updates to the prospective payment system for inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) for fiscal year 2026. Includes comments on the potential creation of an IRF-specific wage index and refinements to the IRF payment system, such as changes to IRF patient clinical classification. Includes rural considerations throughout.
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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National Association of Rural Health Clinics 2026 Policy Survey Report
Summarizes results of a 2026 national survey of Rural Health Clinics (RHCs). Presents data on the average payer mix, telehealth use and management trends, Medicare Advantage (MA) contracts and reimbursement rates compared to traditional Medicare rates, value-based care participation, challenges, and more.
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Summarizes results of a 2026 national survey of Rural Health Clinics (RHCs). Presents data on the average payer mix, telehealth use and management trends, Medicare Advantage (MA) contracts and reimbursement rates compared to traditional Medicare rates, value-based care participation, challenges, and more.
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Medicare Payment for Rural or Geographically Isolated Hospitals, 2026
Displays data on Medicare payment adjustments for Sole Community Hospitals, Medicare-Dependent Hospitals, Low-Volume Hospitals, and Critical Access Hospitals. Includes information on the number of qualifying hospitals by state and eligibility criteria.
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Displays data on Medicare payment adjustments for Sole Community Hospitals, Medicare-Dependent Hospitals, Low-Volume Hospitals, and Critical Access Hospitals. Includes information on the number of qualifying hospitals by state and eligibility criteria.
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Payer Mix Shifts and Profitability at Critical Access Hospitals, 2011 to 2023
Analyzes 1,384 Critical Access Hospitals between 2011 and 2023 to determine the impact of changes in commercial, Medicare, Medicaid, and uncompensated care on their finances. Discusses reimbursement policy based on study findings.
Author(s): Yusheng Jia, Yue Li, Xueya Cai, Samuel J. Enumah
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 4(4)
Date: 04/2026
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Analyzes 1,384 Critical Access Hospitals between 2011 and 2023 to determine the impact of changes in commercial, Medicare, Medicaid, and uncompensated care on their finances. Discusses reimbursement policy based on study findings.
Author(s): Yusheng Jia, Yue Li, Xueya Cai, Samuel J. Enumah
Citation: Health Affairs Scholar, 4(4)
Date: 04/2026
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A Closer Look at Rural Nursing Homes
Compares characteristics of nursing homes in rural and urban areas including patient population data, distribution, and ownership. Also discusses payer mix, healthcare quality, and staffing levels. Highlights changes between 2015 and 2025 for some data.
Author(s): Priya Chidambaram, Alice Burns, Robin Rudowitz
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Compares characteristics of nursing homes in rural and urban areas including patient population data, distribution, and ownership. Also discusses payer mix, healthcare quality, and staffing levels. Highlights changes between 2015 and 2025 for some data.
Author(s): Priya Chidambaram, Alice Burns, Robin Rudowitz
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Medicare Wage Index Trends in Rural and Urban Hospitals Before and During the Low Wage Index Policy, 2018–2022
Provides an overview of the wage index and its role in hospital reimbursement and financial stability. Describes the pattern of wage index values for rural and urban prospective payment system (PPS) hospitals from 2018 to 2022. Explores the impact of the low-wage index policy (LWIP), which was implemented in fiscal year 2020, and the potential implications of its discontinuation in fiscal year 2025.
Author(s): Saleema Karim, George Pink, Kristie Thompson, Mark Holmes
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Provides an overview of the wage index and its role in hospital reimbursement and financial stability. Describes the pattern of wage index values for rural and urban prospective payment system (PPS) hospitals from 2018 to 2022. Explores the impact of the low-wage index policy (LWIP), which was implemented in fiscal year 2020, and the potential implications of its discontinuation in fiscal year 2025.
Author(s): Saleema Karim, George Pink, Kristie Thompson, Mark Holmes
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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