Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Legislation and regulations
Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) Model Frequently Asked Questions
Provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation. Covers general information, Conditions of Participation, and REH payment policies.
Date: 08/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Mathematica, Rural Health Redesign Center
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Provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation. Covers general information, Conditions of Participation, and REH payment policies.
Date: 08/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Mathematica, Rural Health Redesign Center
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Innovative State Strategies for Rural Broadband: Case Studies from Colorado, Minnesota and Maine
Explores the roles of state broadband policy, local leadership, and private investment in expanding broadband coverage and infrastructure in rural areas. Presents case studies from Colorado, Maine, and Minnesota and describes how rural recipients leverage state and federal broadband funds, navigate financial and regulatory constraints, and develop innovative place-based solutions. Identifies unique challenges, lessons learned, and implications for broadband policy.
Author(s): Natassia A. Bravo, Mildred E. Warner
Date: 07/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Cornell University
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Explores the roles of state broadband policy, local leadership, and private investment in expanding broadband coverage and infrastructure in rural areas. Presents case studies from Colorado, Maine, and Minnesota and describes how rural recipients leverage state and federal broadband funds, navigate financial and regulatory constraints, and develop innovative place-based solutions. Identifies unique challenges, lessons learned, and implications for broadband policy.
Author(s): Natassia A. Bravo, Mildred E. Warner
Date: 07/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Cornell University
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HHS Finalizes Section 1557 Nondiscrimination Rule - Impacts for RHCs
Recording of a July 15, 2024, webinar discussing the May 2024 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services final rule, Nondiscrimination in Health Programs and Activities. Highlights sections of the rule most important to Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and timelines for compliance. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides, Q&A Follow-Up
Date: 07/2024
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Recording of a July 15, 2024, webinar discussing the May 2024 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services final rule, Nondiscrimination in Health Programs and Activities. Highlights sections of the rule most important to Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and timelines for compliance. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides, Q&A Follow-Up
Date: 07/2024
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Tribal Food Security: Opportunities Exist to Address Challenges in Federal Nutrition Programs
Explores issues related to tribal food security and whether federal nutrition programs meet tribal communities' needs. Describes American Indian/Alaska Native food insecurity rates and the food security challenges of tribal communities. Examines the extent to which select federal nutrition programs address tribal communities' needs and tribes' roles in administering these programs. Offers recommendations to Congress and the U.S. Department of Agriculture regarding the administration of the program and additional flexibilities to support tribes and states.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 07/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Explores issues related to tribal food security and whether federal nutrition programs meet tribal communities' needs. Describes American Indian/Alaska Native food insecurity rates and the food security challenges of tribal communities. Examines the extent to which select federal nutrition programs address tribal communities' needs and tribes' roles in administering these programs. Offers recommendations to Congress and the U.S. Department of Agriculture regarding the administration of the program and additional flexibilities to support tribes and states.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 07/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Proposed CY 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule: Fact Sheet
Fact sheet covering proposed Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) telehealth policy changes for 2025 as outlined in the calendar year (CY) 2025 Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule. Covers proposals related to audio-only telehealth; eligible services that 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); opioid treatment programs; and more.
Date: 07/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Connected Health Policy: The National Telehealth Policy Resource Center
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Fact sheet covering proposed Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) telehealth policy changes for 2025 as outlined in the calendar year (CY) 2025 Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule. Covers proposals related to audio-only telehealth; eligible services that 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); opioid treatment programs; and more.
Date: 07/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Connected Health Policy: The National Telehealth Policy Resource 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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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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Core Based Statistical Areas
Provides an overview of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Core Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs). Identifies key terms related to CBSAs, including central counties, metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas, outlying counties, and more. Includes information on revisions and updates to CBSAs, relevant legislation, and issues of interest for Congress.
Date: 07/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Provides an overview of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Core Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs). Identifies key terms related to CBSAs, including central counties, metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas, outlying counties, and more. Includes information on revisions and updates to CBSAs, relevant legislation, and issues of interest for Congress.
Date: 07/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Disruptors, Essential Services, and Reflections on a Career in Rural Health, with John Supplitt
An episode of the Exploring Rural Health podcast featuring John Supplitt, Senior Director of Rural Health Services for the American Hospital Association. Focuses on the importance of maintaining rural essential services, along with insights from Supplitt's long career in rural health.
Date: 07/2024
Type: Audio
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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An episode of the Exploring Rural Health podcast featuring John Supplitt, Senior Director of Rural Health Services for the American Hospital Association. Focuses on the importance of maintaining rural essential services, along with insights from Supplitt's long career in rural health.
Date: 07/2024
Type: Audio
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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