Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Medicare
Geographical Access to Preferred Pharmacies in Medicare Part D
Analyzes access to preferred pharmacies in Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (PDPs) and Medicare Advantage PDPs (MAPDs). Utilizes multiple data sources to examine the nearest preferred pharmacy in MAPDs and stand-alone PDPs across rural and urban ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs). Discusses geographic disparities related to PDP and MAPD access.
Author(s): Pinka Chatterji, Yiran Han, Chun-Yu Ho
Citation: The American Journal of Managed Care, 32, 7
Date: 07/2026
view details
Analyzes access to preferred pharmacies in Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (PDPs) and Medicare Advantage PDPs (MAPDs). Utilizes multiple data sources to examine the nearest preferred pharmacy in MAPDs and stand-alone PDPs across rural and urban ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs). Discusses geographic disparities related to PDP and MAPD access.
Author(s): Pinka Chatterji, Yiran Han, Chun-Yu Ho
Citation: The American Journal of Managed Care, 32, 7
Date: 07/2026
view details
Report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services: Improving Multi-Payer Alignment in Value-Based Care
Summarizes findings from the Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee's (PTAC) review of information on improving multi-payer alignment in value-based care. Describes key issues and characteristics related to improving multi-payer alignment in value-based care from proposals that have previously been submitted to PTAC. Includes rural references and considerations throughout.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
view details
Summarizes findings from the Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee's (PTAC) review of information on improving multi-payer alignment in value-based care. Describes key issues and characteristics related to improving multi-payer alignment in value-based care from proposals that have previously been submitted to PTAC. Includes rural references and considerations throughout.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
view details
Health Care Access, Preventive Care, and Affordability Among Rural Adults With Cardiometabolic Conditions: Medicare Advantage Versus Traditional Medicare
Examines the differences in healthcare experiences for rural adults with cardiometabolic conditions who are enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA) versus traditional Medicare. Utilizes 2021-2022 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey data from 4,274 rural beneficiaries and analyzes MA versus traditional Medicare coverage related to issues such as healthcare access, preventive care, and affordability.
Author(s): Nicholas Chiu, Andrew Oseran, Archana P. Tale, Rishi K. Wadhera
Citation: Journal of the American Heart Association, 15, 15
Date: 07/2026
view details
Examines the differences in healthcare experiences for rural adults with cardiometabolic conditions who are enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA) versus traditional Medicare. Utilizes 2021-2022 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey data from 4,274 rural beneficiaries and analyzes MA versus traditional Medicare coverage related to issues such as healthcare access, preventive care, and affordability.
Author(s): Nicholas Chiu, Andrew Oseran, Archana P. Tale, Rishi K. Wadhera
Citation: Journal of the American Heart Association, 15, 15
Date: 07/2026
view details
Calendar Year 2026 Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program Guide for Eligible Hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals
Provides an overview of the requirements of the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program for calendar year 2026. Covers information about participation requirements, measures, data submission, and helpful resources.
Additional links: Infographic
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Health Services Advisory Group
view details
Provides an overview of the requirements of the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program for calendar year 2026. Covers information about participation requirements, measures, data submission, and helpful resources.
Additional links: Infographic
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Health Services Advisory Group
view details
FY 2027 Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System and Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System Final Rule (CMS-1849-F)
Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) fiscal year 2027 hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) and long-term care hospital prospective payment system (LTCH PPS) final rule. Includes information about the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program, the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting Program, the Long-Term Care Hospital Quality Reporting Program, and more.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
view details
Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) fiscal year 2027 hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) and long-term care hospital prospective payment system (LTCH PPS) final rule. Includes information about the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program, the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting Program, the Long-Term Care Hospital Quality Reporting Program, and more.
Date: 07/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
view details
Association Between the Declining Conversion Factor and Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries
Examines the impact of the inflation-adjusted conversion factor and reduced reimbursement on Medicare beneficiaries' access to care. Utilizes 2005-2023 Medicare fee-for-service data from 4,662,729 unique beneficiaries and provides data breakdowns on conversion factor values and care utilization according to community income, area deprivation index, and urbanicity.
Author(s): Eric W. Christensen, Alexandra R. Drake, Gregory N. Nicola, et al.
Citation: INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing, 63
Date: 07/2026
view details
Examines the impact of the inflation-adjusted conversion factor and reduced reimbursement on Medicare beneficiaries' access to care. Utilizes 2005-2023 Medicare fee-for-service data from 4,662,729 unique beneficiaries and provides data breakdowns on conversion factor values and care utilization according to community income, area deprivation index, and urbanicity.
Author(s): Eric W. Christensen, Alexandra R. Drake, Gregory N. Nicola, et al.
Citation: INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing, 63
Date: 07/2026
view details
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
view details
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
view details
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
view details
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
view details
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
view details
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
view details
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
view details
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
view details