COVID-19 Hospitalization Trends in Rural Versus Urban Areas in the United States
Examines disparities in COVID-19 hospitalization rates between rural and urban areas in six states from May 1, 2020, to July 1, 2021. Describes differences in occupancy rates between rural and urban hospitals during the same period. Presents data by week and cumulatively over time.
Author(s): Yi Zhu, Caitlin Carroll, Khoa Vu, et al.
Citation: Medical Care Research and Review, 80(2), 236-244
Date: 04/2023
Type: Document
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MedPAC Report to the Congress: Medicare Payment Policy, 2023
Annual review of Medicare payment policies, with recommendations to Congress. Includes discussion on Medicare payment policies directly affecting rural providers and beneficiaries. Addresses payment adequacy for healthcare facilities and services; Medicare Advantage (MA), including a mandated report comparing per enrollee spending in the MA program with that of traditional fee-for-service (FFS) Medicare; and Medicare Part D.
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Rural Emergency Hospitals and Rural Hospital Innovation Grant
A webinar that discusses the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation, services provided, eligibility, the review process, payment model, and more. Provides information on the Rural Hospital Innovation Grant (RHIG) as well as how REH designation could impact and/or benefit healthcare facilities in Kansas.
Additional links: Slide Deck
Date: 03/2023
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Kansas Department of Health and Environment
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Access to Health Services Across Rural and Urban Minoritized Racial/Ethnic Group Areas
Summarizes results from a series of reports documenting disparities in access to health services nationwide across ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs) categorized by rurality and racial and ethnic composition. Presents data on the distance to care from the population center of rural and urban ZCTAs to the nearest provider. Covers first line, higher acuity, and home-based services.
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural and Minority Health Research Center (formerly the South Carolina Rural Health Research Center)
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Report to Congress on Medicaid and CHIP, March 2023
Reports on four aspects of Medicaid: 1) collecting and reporting Medicaid race and ethnicity data, 2) increasing the transparency and improving the collection of nursing facility payment data, 3) strengthening evidence under Medicaid drug coverage, and 4) reviewing hospital payment policy for the nation's safety-net hospitals. Chapter 4 examines the relationship between disproportionate share hospital (DSH) allotments to states and the number of uninsured individuals, the amounts and sources of hospitals' uncompensated care costs, and the amounts and sources of hospitals' uncompensated care costs. Table 4-1 details DSH spending for urban and rural hospitals and for Critical Access Hospitals.
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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2023 Federal Office of Rural Health Policy Investments Preview
Webinar recording highlights the upcoming investments by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) for 2023. Discusses FORHP's funding priorities and goals for the 2023 fiscal year, such as rural hospitals and clinics, the substance use epidemic, and rural health disparities, among others.
Date: 03/2023
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Federal Office of Rural Health Policy
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Perspectives on the Long of COVID: From Doomscrolling to Rural Management Strategies
An overview of how Long COVID is impacting rural areas. Features a Tennessee rural health researcher sharing his Long COVID experience and a rural New York healthcare system discussing the condition's management options.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Rural Track Program Funding: An Erosion in Definitions of Rural Places Requires New Action
Policy position paper discussing graduate medical education (GME) in rural areas. Discusses policy changes to rural hospital classification and the impact of these changes on rural GME and rural training track programs.
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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CMS Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced Model: Fourth Evaluation Report
Third annual report of the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced (BPCI Advanced) Model, which tests whether linking payments for a clinical episode of care can reduce Medicare expenditures while maintaining or improving the quality of care. Explores the impact of BPCI Advanced on episode payments, utilization, and quality of care, as well as estimates of Medicare program savings in Model Year 3. Analyzes BPCI Advanced outcomes for beneficiaries from populations that have been historically underserved, including beneficiaries in rural areas and areas with a high Area Deprivation Index (ADI).
Additional links: Appendices, Findings at a Glance
Author(s): The Lewin Group, Abt Associates, GDIT, Telligen
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Leadership Dialogue Series: Strengthening Rural Health Care with Jennifer Havens
Discussion between John Haupert, president and CEO of Grady Health System, and Jennifer Havens, CEO of UnityPoint Health – Grinnell Regional Medical Center (GRMC). Describes challenges facing rural hospitals and health systems, as well as access to maternal health services. Explores how GRMC has addressed these challenges and improved care delivery. Transcript is available by clicking the dots above the video description, then selecting Show Transcript.
Date: 02/2023
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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