Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare quality
Why Primary Care Practitioners Aren't Joining Value-Based Payment Models: Reasons and Potential Solutions
Explores reasons why primary care providers do not participate in value-based payment models. Presents findings from focus group and key informant interviews with primary care providers and primary care member organizations. Covers financial, workforce, and administrative burden-related challenges, and outlines potential solutions. Includes a discussion of financial challenges small and rural independent practices face in participating in value-based payment models.
Author(s): Ann S. O'Malley, Rumin Sarwar, Cindy Alvarez, Eugene C. Rich
Date: 07/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Commonwealth Fund
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Explores reasons why primary care providers do not participate in value-based payment models. Presents findings from focus group and key informant interviews with primary care providers and primary care member organizations. Covers financial, workforce, and administrative burden-related challenges, and outlines potential solutions. Includes a discussion of financial challenges small and rural independent practices face in participating in value-based payment models.
Author(s): Ann S. O'Malley, Rumin Sarwar, Cindy Alvarez, Eugene C. Rich
Date: 07/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Commonwealth Fund
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Patient Perspectives on Cancer Care during COVID-19: A Qualitative Study
Analyzes the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on cancer patients' care experiences and mental health. Utilizes interview data from 15 rural Maryland patients who received a cancer diagnosis or treatment between January 2020 and October 2022. Discusses access to care, consistency of care, telehealth use, social isolation, patient advocacy, COVID-19 precautions, and more.
Author(s): Krista Y. Chen, Olivia Stanford, Jennifer A. Wenzel, Robert L. Joyner, Adrian S. Dobs
Citation: PLoS ONE, 19(7), e0306035
Date: 07/2024
Type: Document
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Analyzes the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on cancer patients' care experiences and mental health. Utilizes interview data from 15 rural Maryland patients who received a cancer diagnosis or treatment between January 2020 and October 2022. Discusses access to care, consistency of care, telehealth use, social isolation, patient advocacy, COVID-19 precautions, and more.
Author(s): Krista Y. Chen, Olivia Stanford, Jennifer A. Wenzel, Robert L. Joyner, Adrian S. Dobs
Citation: PLoS ONE, 19(7), e0306035
Date: 07/2024
Type: Document
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Positioning Telehealth Policy to Ensure High-Quality, Cost-Effective Care
Presents policy recommendations and suggestions to guide policymakers when considering the future of telehealth. Analyzes peer-reviewed research; government reports; and findings from interviews with payers, providers, provider associations, federal agencies, consumer advocates, technology leaders, policy experts, and other stakeholders. Includes rural references and considerations throughout.
Author(s): Maya Sandalow, Julia Harris, Mikayla Curtis, Marilyn Werber Serafini
Date: 07/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
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Presents policy recommendations and suggestions to guide policymakers when considering the future of telehealth. Analyzes peer-reviewed research; government reports; and findings from interviews with payers, providers, provider associations, federal agencies, consumer advocates, technology leaders, policy experts, and other stakeholders. Includes rural references and considerations throughout.
Author(s): Maya Sandalow, Julia Harris, Mikayla Curtis, Marilyn Werber Serafini
Date: 07/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
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CY 2025 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System Proposed Rule (CMS 1809-P)
Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed rule regarding updates and changes to the Medicare payments for hospital outpatient and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) services for calendar year 2025. Summarizes provisions regarding changes to Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and partial hospital program rate setting; a proposal to include an add-on payment to the Medicare outpatient hospital all-inclusive rate (AIR) for certain high-cost drugs for people with Medicare who receive care at Indian Health Service (IHS) or tribal hospitals; updates to the Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting (OQR), Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting (ASCQR), and Rural Emergency Hospital Quality Reporting (REHQR) Programs; a proposal for new Conditions of Participation (CoPs) for hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) for obstetrical services; Medicaid and CHIP continuous eligibility; Medicaid clinic services "four walls" exceptions; and more.
Date: 07/2024
Type: Document
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) proposed rule regarding updates and changes to the Medicare payments for hospital outpatient and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) services for calendar year 2025. Summarizes provisions regarding changes to Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and partial hospital program rate setting; a proposal to include an add-on payment to the Medicare outpatient hospital all-inclusive rate (AIR) for certain high-cost drugs for people with Medicare who receive care at Indian Health Service (IHS) or tribal hospitals; updates to the Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting (OQR), Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting (ASCQR), and Rural Emergency Hospital Quality Reporting (REHQR) Programs; a proposal for new Conditions of Participation (CoPs) for hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) for obstetrical services; Medicaid and CHIP continuous eligibility; Medicaid clinic services "four walls" exceptions; and more.
Date: 07/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Standing Technical Expert Panel for the Development, Evaluation, and Maintenance of Post-Acute Care (PAC) and Hospice Quality Reporting Program (QRP) Measurement Sets: Summary Report
Describes a December 15, 2023, Technical Expert Panel (TEP) regarding the development of additional cross-setting measures for the Post-Acute Care (PAC) and Hospice Quality Reporting Programs (QRPs), and filling measurement gaps with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Universal Foundation measures. Summarizes TEP comments on adding measures to PAC and Hospice QRPs in four domains: 1) behavioral and mental health, 2) patient experience of care, 3) pain management, and 4) immunization. Covers panelists' discussions on the appropriateness of the existing measure set and potential new measures, setting-specific considerations, data sources, and other topics related to each domain. Includes rural references throughout.
Date: 07/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Abt Associates, Acumen, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Describes a December 15, 2023, Technical Expert Panel (TEP) regarding the development of additional cross-setting measures for the Post-Acute Care (PAC) and Hospice Quality Reporting Programs (QRPs), and filling measurement gaps with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Universal Foundation measures. Summarizes TEP comments on adding measures to PAC and Hospice QRPs in four domains: 1) behavioral and mental health, 2) patient experience of care, 3) pain management, and 4) immunization. Covers panelists' discussions on the appropriateness of the existing measure set and potential new measures, setting-specific considerations, data sources, and other topics related to each domain. Includes rural references throughout.
Date: 07/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Abt Associates, Acumen, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Calendar Year (CY) 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule
Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed rule regarding updates and changes to the Medicare payments under the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and other Medicare Part B issues for calendar year 2025. Summarizes provisions related to telehealth services; advanced primary care management services; behavioral health services; opioid treatment programs; dental and oral health services; Rural Health Clinic (RHC) and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Conditions for Coverage, care coordination services, telecommunication services, payment for vaccine costs, intensive outpatient program (IOP) services; and more.
Date: 07/2024
Type: Document
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) proposed rule regarding updates and changes to the Medicare payments under the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and other Medicare Part B issues for calendar year 2025. Summarizes provisions related to telehealth services; advanced primary care management services; behavioral health services; opioid treatment programs; dental and oral health services; Rural Health Clinic (RHC) and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Conditions for Coverage, care coordination services, telecommunication services, payment for vaccine costs, intensive outpatient program (IOP) services; and more.
Date: 07/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Estimated Impacts of Multiple Payment Policies on Rural-Serving Home Health Agencies
Describes the estimated impact of three major Medicare home health payment policy changes - implementation of the Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM), revisions to rural add-on payments, and the demonstration and nationwide expansion of the Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) model - on home health agency (HHA) reimbursement for Medicare beneficiaries. Compares the estimated impact of these payment policy changes by HHA rural-serving status, U. S. Census Division, profit status, quality rating, and episode volume.
Author(s): Tracy M. Mroz, Lisa A. Garberson, C. Holly A. Andrilla, Davis G. Patterson
Date: 07/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Describes the estimated impact of three major Medicare home health payment policy changes - implementation of the Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM), revisions to rural add-on payments, and the demonstration and nationwide expansion of the Home Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) model - on home health agency (HHA) reimbursement for Medicare beneficiaries. Compares the estimated impact of these payment policy changes by HHA rural-serving status, U. S. Census Division, profit status, quality rating, and episode volume.
Author(s): Tracy M. Mroz, Lisa A. Garberson, C. Holly A. Andrilla, Davis G. Patterson
Date: 07/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Screening for Health-Related Social Needs: A Comparison of CAHs and Non-CAHs
Provides an overview of health-related social needs (HRSN) and social determinants of health (SDOH) and the impacts of screening for and collecting data on HRSN and SDOH. Analyzes 2022 American Hospital Association Annual Survey and Information Technology Supplement data to describe the collection of HRSN data among Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). Compares the specific HRSNs assessed and programs to address HRSNs among CAHs and non-CAH hospitals. Presents data on the collection of HRSN data by CAHs by health system membership and electronic health record vendor. Describes the use of HRSN data by CAHs that routinely collect and do not routinely collect this data.
Author(s): Madeleine Pick, Carson Crane, Megan Lahr, Robert Barclay
Date: 07/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Provides an overview of health-related social needs (HRSN) and social determinants of health (SDOH) and the impacts of screening for and collecting data on HRSN and SDOH. Analyzes 2022 American Hospital Association Annual Survey and Information Technology Supplement data to describe the collection of HRSN data among Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). Compares the specific HRSNs assessed and programs to address HRSNs among CAHs and non-CAH hospitals. Presents data on the collection of HRSN data by CAHs by health system membership and electronic health record vendor. Describes the use of HRSN data by CAHs that routinely collect and do not routinely collect this data.
Author(s): Madeleine Pick, Carson Crane, Megan Lahr, Robert Barclay
Date: 07/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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From Surviving to Thriving: Ways to Boost Employee Retention in Rural Health Care
Podcast episode featuring a discussion with Brandie Manuel, R.N., chief patient safety and quality officer at Jefferson Healthcare in rural Washington. Discusses strategies to promote workforce development, wellbeing, and teamwork.
Date: 07/2024
Type: Audio
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Podcast episode featuring a discussion with Brandie Manuel, R.N., chief patient safety and quality officer at Jefferson Healthcare in rural Washington. Discusses strategies to promote workforce development, wellbeing, and teamwork.
Date: 07/2024
Type: Audio
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Can ERAS Help Reduce Health Disparities and Overcome Barriers to Equitable Surgical Care in Marginalized Communities?
Discusses the value of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) protocols in rural and marginalized communities. Identifies barriers to access and proposes strategies to increase equity. Highlights aspects of ERAS implementation including pediatrics, health literacy, communication with patients and among providers, telehealth, and more.
Author(s): Chirag Ram, Ruoying Li, Andrew D. Franklin, et al.
Citation: Journal of Pediatric Surgery Open, 7, 100141
Date: 07/2024
Type: Document
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Discusses the value of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) protocols in rural and marginalized communities. Identifies barriers to access and proposes strategies to increase equity. Highlights aspects of ERAS implementation including pediatrics, health literacy, communication with patients and among providers, telehealth, and more.
Author(s): Chirag Ram, Ruoying Li, Andrew D. Franklin, et al.
Citation: Journal of Pediatric Surgery Open, 7, 100141
Date: 07/2024
Type: Document
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