Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Medicare
A Profile of Dual-Eligible Individuals
Presents data on the demographic, socioeconomic, and health characteristics of dual-eligible individuals in 2023. Compares dual-eligible individuals' characteristics with those of Medicare beneficiaries without Medicaid. Includes data on urban and rural residence.
Author(s): Abby Wolk, Nancy Ochieng, Jeannie Fuglesten Biniek, Alice Burns
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Presents data on the demographic, socioeconomic, and health characteristics of dual-eligible individuals in 2023. Compares dual-eligible individuals' characteristics with those of Medicare beneficiaries without Medicaid. Includes data on urban and rural residence.
Author(s): Abby Wolk, Nancy Ochieng, Jeannie Fuglesten Biniek, Alice Burns
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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MedPAC Data Book: Health Care Spending and the Medicare Program, 2026
Provides an overview of Medicare spending and highlights data on Medicare beneficiary demographics, dual-eligible beneficiaries, quality of care provided through the Medicare program, and other payer liability. Examines settings of care, including rural-specific provider sites, as they relate to spending, access to care, and Medicare and operating margins. Compares rural and urban beneficiaries and providers throughout. Chart 6-2 addresses rural hospital closures and Rural Emergency Hospital conversions.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Provides an overview of Medicare spending and highlights data on Medicare beneficiary demographics, dual-eligible beneficiaries, quality of care provided through the Medicare program, and other payer liability. Examines settings of care, including rural-specific provider sites, as they relate to spending, access to care, and Medicare and operating margins. Compares rural and urban beneficiaries and providers throughout. Chart 6-2 addresses rural hospital closures and Rural Emergency Hospital conversions.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Calendar Year (CY) 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Proposed Rule: Quality Payment Program (QPP) Fact Sheet and Policy Comparison Table
Provides an overview of the 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Proposed Rule, focusing on policy changes impacting the Quality Payment Program (QPP). Provides proposal highlights, current policies versus proposed policies, and related QPP resources.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Provides an overview of the 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Proposed Rule, focusing on policy changes impacting the Quality Payment Program (QPP). Provides proposal highlights, current policies versus proposed policies, and related QPP resources.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Improving Access to Medicare Home Health Care: Key Policy Considerations
Highlights themes from interviews with 20 policy experts on home health agencies to identify factors contributing to declines in use of Medicare home health services. Discusses payment models, Medicare Advantage, workforce shortages, and family caregivers. Offers policy measures that may increase home health utilization.
Author(s): Barbara Lyons, Jane Andrews
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Commonwealth Fund
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Highlights themes from interviews with 20 policy experts on home health agencies to identify factors contributing to declines in use of Medicare home health services. Discusses payment models, Medicare Advantage, workforce shortages, and family caregivers. Offers policy measures that may increase home health utilization.
Author(s): Barbara Lyons, Jane Andrews
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Commonwealth Fund
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Evaluation of the ACO REACH Model: Evaluation Report 3
Presents key findings from an evaluation of the Accountable Care Organization (ACO) REACH Model's first performance year, as well as the two years of the preceding Global and Professional Direct Contracting (GPDC) Model. Examines model participants' implementation experiences and the model's impact on cost, utilization, and quality outcomes. Includes information on the participation of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) in the model.
Additional links: Appendices, CMS Perspective Report, Executive Summary, Findings at a Glance
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, NORC at the University of Chicago
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Presents key findings from an evaluation of the Accountable Care Organization (ACO) REACH Model's first performance year, as well as the two years of the preceding Global and Professional Direct Contracting (GPDC) Model. Examines model participants' implementation experiences and the model's impact on cost, utilization, and quality outcomes. Includes information on the participation of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) in the model.
Additional links: Appendices, CMS Perspective Report, Executive Summary, Findings at a Glance
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, NORC at the University of Chicago
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Demographic Characteristics of Medicaid Beneficiaries Enrolled in the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly
Describes the demographic characteristics and long-term nursing facility use of Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) enrollees in 2023, including rural residence. Compares data by PACE enrollees who are full-benefit dually eligible beneficiaries and those who are Medicaid-only enrollees.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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Describes the demographic characteristics and long-term nursing facility use of Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) enrollees in 2023, including rural residence. Compares data by PACE enrollees who are full-benefit dually eligible beneficiaries and those who are Medicaid-only enrollees.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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Early Evidence of Geographic Variation in Medicare Participation among Newly Eligible Mental Health Providers Following the 2024 Coverage Expansion
Explores the effect that Medicare's expansion of coverage to marriage and family therapists (MFTs) and mental health counselors (MHCs) has had on the rural mental health workforce. Highlights the rate of participation among rural MFTs and MHCs in Medicare from 2022 to 2024 and compares rates to metro counties.
Author(s): Janessa M. Graves, Natalia V. Oster, Lisa A. Garberson, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70180
Date: 07/2026
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Explores the effect that Medicare's expansion of coverage to marriage and family therapists (MFTs) and mental health counselors (MHCs) has had on the rural mental health workforce. Highlights the rate of participation among rural MFTs and MHCs in Medicare from 2022 to 2024 and compares rates to metro counties.
Author(s): Janessa M. Graves, Natalia V. Oster, Lisa A. Garberson, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(3), e70180
Date: 07/2026
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Rural Implications of Increased Medicare Beneficiary Enrollment in ACOs and MA Plans
Explores the relationship between Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollment and beneficiary attribution to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). Describes the growth of ACO assignment and MA enrollment between 2013 and 2023 by county-level rurality. Compares the characteristics of micropolitan and noncore counties with high and low ACO and MA penetration in 2023. Discusses the implications of expanding MA and ACO enrollment in rural areas.
Author(s): Edmer Lazaro, Fred Ullrich, Dan M. Shane, Keith Mueller
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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Explores the relationship between Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollment and beneficiary attribution to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). Describes the growth of ACO assignment and MA enrollment between 2013 and 2023 by county-level rurality. Compares the characteristics of micropolitan and noncore counties with high and low ACO and MA penetration in 2023. Discusses the implications of expanding MA and ACO enrollment in rural areas.
Author(s): Edmer Lazaro, Fred Ullrich, Dan M. Shane, Keith Mueller
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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MedPAC Report to the Congress: Medicare and the Health Care Delivery System, June 2026
Evaluates Medicare payment issues and provides recommendations to the U.S. Congress. Covers payment incentives in Medicare, the complexity of Medicare enrollment decisions for beneficiaries, Medicare payment operations and their role in identifying improper payments, the estimated association between Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollment and hospitals' and post-acute care providers' finances, and access to hospice and certain complex palliative services for beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease or cancer. Includes a mandated report regarding the Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System. Includes rural references throughout.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Evaluates Medicare payment issues and provides recommendations to the U.S. Congress. Covers payment incentives in Medicare, the complexity of Medicare enrollment decisions for beneficiaries, Medicare payment operations and their role in identifying improper payments, the estimated association between Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollment and hospitals' and post-acute care providers' finances, and access to hospice and certain complex palliative services for beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease or cancer. Includes a mandated report regarding the Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System. Includes rural references throughout.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Factors Influencing Rural Hospitals to Participate and Remain in Accountable Care Organizations
Examines factors that impact rural hospital participation in Medicare and accountable care organization (ACO) models. Utilizes interview feedback from rural hospital executives regarding ACO participation and discusses themes such as financial incentives, value-based reimbursement, population health, healthcare quality, and more.
Author(s): Emily J. Lawton, Jenah McCarty, Thomas E. Vaughn, Fred Ullrich, Keith J. Mueller
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70179
Date: 06/2026
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Examines factors that impact rural hospital participation in Medicare and accountable care organization (ACO) models. Utilizes interview feedback from rural hospital executives regarding ACO participation and discusses themes such as financial incentives, value-based reimbursement, population health, healthcare quality, and more.
Author(s): Emily J. Lawton, Jenah McCarty, Thomas E. Vaughn, Fred Ullrich, Keith J. Mueller
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70179
Date: 06/2026
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