This website is being reviewed for updates. Some information is offline. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare needs and services

Elderly Housing: Federal Housing Programs That Offer Assistance for the Elderly
Overview of the federal housing programs that provide housing assistance, including rent subsidies, mortgage insurance, and loans and grants for the purchase or repair of homes, to the elderly. Includes programs that support rural housing for the elderly.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 02/2005
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
view details
Impacts of the Medicare Modernization Act on Rural Health Systems and Beneficiaries
Offers an analysis of rural-pertinent provisions of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003. Summarizes legislative and regulatory provisions of special significance to rural beneficiaries and health care systems.
Author(s): Keith Mueller, Andrew Coburn, Charles Fluharty, et al.
Date: 02/2005
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute Rural Health Panel
view details
Nonmetropolitan Counties and Vet Centers
Offers a map of the United States showing nonmetropolitan counties and Veterans Affairs (VA) Centers.
Date: 2005
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
view details
A Guide for Enhancing Rural Emergency Medical Services
Offers guidance for implementation of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Strategic Highway Safety Plan. Provides strategies that can be employed to enhance rural emergency medical services.
Date: 2005
Sponsoring organization: Transportation Research Board
view details
Medicare Hospice Care: Modifications to Payment Methodology May Be Warranted
Discusses proposed adjustments to Medicare payments for hospice services. Includes some information on rural aspects of hospice and Medicare reimbursement.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 10/2004
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
view details
Critical Access Hospital Patient Safety Priorities and Initiatives: Results of the 2004 National CAH Survey
Describes patient safety activities at Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) based on a 2004 survey of 474 CAH administrators. Includes information on patient safety priorities, challenges CAHs face in implementing patient safety interventions, and pharmacy staffing and computer systems to prevent medication errors.
Author(s): Michelle Casey, Ira Moscovice, Jill Klingner
Date: 09/2004
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
view details
Medicare: Information Needed to Assess Adequacy of Rate-Setting Methodology for Payments for Hospital Outpatient Services
Examines whether the outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) rate-setting methodology results in payment rates that uniformly reflect hospitals' costs for providing drugs and devices. Includes information specific to rural hospitals and the OPPS.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 09/2004
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
view details
Exploring the Impact of Medicare's Post-Acute Care Transfer Payment Policy on Rural Hospitals
Describes a change in Medicare post-acute transfer payment policy and its impact on rural and urban hospitals. Includes data on the financial impact and hospital discharge behavior before and after the change.
Author(s): Julie A. Schoenman
Date: 07/2004
Sponsoring organization: NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
view details
Rural Implications of Medicare's Post-Acute Care Transfer Payment Policy
Reports results of a study that examines the behavioral and financial impacts of a change in Medicare payment to pay acute-care hospital cases in 10 DRGs as transfers instead of discharges when the patient is discharged to a targeted post-acute care (PAC) provider after a short inpatient stay. Also projects the likely financial impact of extending the policy to cover additional DRGs or discharges to swing beds.
Author(s): Julie A. Schoenman
Date: 06/2004
Sponsoring organization: NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
view details
A Synthesis of State Flex Program Plans 2003-2004
Describes trends in state activities for the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program (Flex Program). Includes an overview and specific state examples for different aspects of the Flex program, including rural health planning, Critical Access Hospital designation, EMS, quality improvement, and health information technology.
Date: 05/2004
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
view details