Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Medicare
Association Between Broadband Capacity and Telehealth Utilization Among Medicare Fee-for-Service Beneficiaries During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Evaluates the relationship between broadband access and telehealth utilization throughout the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic, from January through September 2020, by merging county-level data from 3,107 counties focused on broadband capacity, telehealth utilization by Medicare Fee-for-Service beneficiaries, rural-urban residence, and demographic characteristics.
Author(s): Ambrish A Pandit, Ruchira V Mahashabde, Clare C Brown, et al.
Citation: Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 2023
Date: 04/2023
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Evaluates the relationship between broadband access and telehealth utilization throughout the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic, from January through September 2020, by merging county-level data from 3,107 counties focused on broadband capacity, telehealth utilization by Medicare Fee-for-Service beneficiaries, rural-urban residence, and demographic characteristics.
Author(s): Ambrish A Pandit, Ruchira V Mahashabde, Clare C Brown, et al.
Citation: Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 2023
Date: 04/2023
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The End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency - Impact for RHCs
Recording of an April 5, 2023, webinar regarding how the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) impacts regulatory waivers and flexibilities related to Rural Health Clinics (RHCs). Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides, Q&A Follow-Up, Transcript
Date: 04/2023
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Recording of an April 5, 2023, webinar regarding how the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) impacts regulatory waivers and flexibilities related to Rural Health Clinics (RHCs). Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides, Q&A Follow-Up, Transcript
Date: 04/2023
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Telehealth and the Expiration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, with Kathy Wibberly
An episode of the Exploring Rural Health podcast featuring Kathy Wibberly, Director of the Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center. Discusses the impact of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) on rural access to telehealth services and adjustments patients and providers can anticipate as the PHE comes to an end May 11, 2023.
Date: 04/2023
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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An episode of the Exploring Rural Health podcast featuring Kathy Wibberly, Director of the Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center. Discusses the impact of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) on rural access to telehealth services and adjustments patients and providers can anticipate as the PHE comes to an end May 11, 2023.
Date: 04/2023
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Orientation to Rural Emergency Hospital Conversion and Technical Assistance, Additional Guidance
Recording of a March 1, 2023, webinar discussing the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) program. Provides an overview of January 2023 guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, including REH action plans, transfer agreements, self-attestation to Conditions of Participation, the REH application process, and the rural status distance exception. Transcript available in the video description.
Date: 03/2023
Sponsoring organizations: Mathematica, Rural Health Redesign Center
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Recording of a March 1, 2023, webinar discussing the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) program. Provides an overview of January 2023 guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, including REH action plans, transfer agreements, self-attestation to Conditions of Participation, the REH application process, and the rural status distance exception. Transcript available in the video description.
Date: 03/2023
Sponsoring organizations: Mathematica, Rural Health Redesign Center
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Inflation Reduction Act Research Series: Medicare Part D Enrollee Savings from Elimination of Vaccine Cost-Sharing
Explains new vaccine payment policies for Medicare Part D effective January 1, 2023. Examines vaccine related data for people covered by Medicare Part D. Vaccines included are shingles, tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and more. Shows breakdown of demographics receiving both any vaccine and specific vaccines through Medicare Part D including a urban-rural comparison.
Date: 03/2023
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Explains new vaccine payment policies for Medicare Part D effective January 1, 2023. Examines vaccine related data for people covered by Medicare Part D. Vaccines included are shingles, tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and more. Shows breakdown of demographics receiving both any vaccine and specific vaccines through Medicare Part D including a urban-rural comparison.
Date: 03/2023
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly in Rural America: Policy Brief and Recommendations to the Secretary
Provides an overview of Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). Discusses barriers to implementing PACE programs in rural areas and offers policy recommendations and considerations to facilitate the expansion of these programs in rural communities.
Date: 03/2023
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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Provides an overview of Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). Discusses barriers to implementing PACE programs in rural areas and offers policy recommendations and considerations to facilitate the expansion of these programs in rural communities.
Date: 03/2023
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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Optimizing Population-Based Total Cost of Care (PB-TCOC) Models in the Context of Alternative Payment Models (APMs) and Physician-Focused Payment Models (PFPMs)
Report from the Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC) summarizing findings on population-based total cost of care (PB-TCOC) payment models and the role these models can play in optimizing health care delivery and value-based transformation in the context of alternative payment models (APMs) and physician-focused payment models (PFPMs). Provides an overview of key issues relating to PB-TCOC models and value-based care transformation. Identifies areas where additional research is needed and some potential next steps. Includes rural references throughout.
Date: 03/2023
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Report from the Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC) summarizing findings on population-based total cost of care (PB-TCOC) payment models and the role these models can play in optimizing health care delivery and value-based transformation in the context of alternative payment models (APMs) and physician-focused payment models (PFPMs). Provides an overview of key issues relating to PB-TCOC models and value-based care transformation. Identifies areas where additional research is needed and some potential next steps. Includes rural references throughout.
Date: 03/2023
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Financial Risk Acceptance among Rural Health Care Providers Participating in the Quality Payment Program
Summarizes nonmetropolitan and metropolitan providers' participation in different Quality Payment Program tracks and subdivisions, and evaluates provider and patient-panel characteristics associated with financial risk acceptance. Features statistics on risk acceptance with breakdowns by specialty type and metropolitan status, and patient panel characteristics by risk type.
Author(s): Xi Zhu, Mina Shrestha, Fred Ullrich, Keith Mueller
Date: 03/2023
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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Summarizes nonmetropolitan and metropolitan providers' participation in different Quality Payment Program tracks and subdivisions, and evaluates provider and patient-panel characteristics associated with financial risk acceptance. Features statistics on risk acceptance with breakdowns by specialty type and metropolitan status, and patient panel characteristics by risk type.
Author(s): Xi Zhu, Mina Shrestha, Fred Ullrich, Keith Mueller
Date: 03/2023
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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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
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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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
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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RHCs & the Medicare Shared Savings Program - What You Need to Know
Recording of a March 7, 2023, webinar providing an overview of the transition to value-based care, Accountable Care Organizations, and the Medicare Shared Savings Program. Discusses considerations for Rural Health Clinic participation in the Shared Savings Program. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides, Transcript
Date: 03/2023
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Recording of a March 7, 2023, webinar providing an overview of the transition to value-based care, Accountable Care Organizations, and the Medicare Shared Savings Program. Discusses considerations for Rural Health Clinic participation in the Shared Savings Program. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides, Transcript
Date: 03/2023
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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