Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Medicare
A Cross-Sectional Analysis of High Acuity Professional Services Performed by Urban and Rural Emergency Care Physicians Across the United States
Evaluates high acuity service practices between 34,256 metropolitan and nonmetropolitan physicians offering emergency care to Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries. Discusses rural-specific factors that may contribute to disparities.
Author(s): Cameron J. Gettel, Maureen E. Canavan, Margaret B. Greenwood-Ericksen, et al.
Citation: Annals of Emergency Medicine: An International Journal 78(1), 140-149
Date: 07/2021
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Evaluates high acuity service practices between 34,256 metropolitan and nonmetropolitan physicians offering emergency care to Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries. Discusses rural-specific factors that may contribute to disparities.
Author(s): Cameron J. Gettel, Maureen E. Canavan, Margaret B. Greenwood-Ericksen, et al.
Citation: Annals of Emergency Medicine: An International Journal 78(1), 140-149
Date: 07/2021
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How Many Hospitals Might Convert to a Rural Emergency Hospital (REH)?
Results of a study to predict the number of rural hospitals with 50 beds or fewer that are likely to consider conversion to Rural Emergency Hospital designation under the Medicare program. Features statistics on number and percent of complete closures and converted closures between 2011-2020 among hospitals with 50 beds or fewer, and open hospitals as of 2019-2020, with breakdowns by financial measures, operational measures, Medicare payment type, and census division.
Author(s): George H. Pink, Kristie W. Thompson, H. Ann Howard, G. Mark Holmes
Date: 07/2021
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Results of a study to predict the number of rural hospitals with 50 beds or fewer that are likely to consider conversion to Rural Emergency Hospital designation under the Medicare program. Features statistics on number and percent of complete closures and converted closures between 2011-2020 among hospitals with 50 beds or fewer, and open hospitals as of 2019-2020, with breakdowns by financial measures, operational measures, Medicare payment type, and census division.
Author(s): George H. Pink, Kristie W. Thompson, H. Ann Howard, G. Mark Holmes
Date: 07/2021
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Evaluation of the State Innovation Models (SIM) Initiative Round 2: Model Test Final Report
Final report on the Round 2 State Innovation Models (SIM) program across eleven participating states - Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Washington. Discusses the adoption of delivery models and payment reforms related to value-based payment (VBP) and alternative payment models (APMs). Examines whether the implementation efforts and healthcare delivery system reforms impacted the quality of care, health outcomes, population health, and spending.
Additional links: Appendix, Findings at a Glance
Date: 06/2021
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, RTI International
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Final report on the Round 2 State Innovation Models (SIM) program across eleven participating states - Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Washington. Discusses the adoption of delivery models and payment reforms related to value-based payment (VBP) and alternative payment models (APMs). Examines whether the implementation efforts and healthcare delivery system reforms impacted the quality of care, health outcomes, population health, and spending.
Additional links: Appendix, Findings at a Glance
Date: 06/2021
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, RTI International
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Basics of Value-based Care and Payment
Slides presented to the Rural Healthcare Provider Transition Project (RHPTP) providing an overview of value-based care and payment models. Includes examples of rural providers addressing patient social needs, tackling local health issues, and aligning services with community needs.
Author(s): Jennifer P. Lundblad
Date: 06/2021
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Value
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Slides presented to the Rural Healthcare Provider Transition Project (RHPTP) providing an overview of value-based care and payment models. Includes examples of rural providers addressing patient social needs, tackling local health issues, and aligning services with community needs.
Author(s): Jennifer P. Lundblad
Date: 06/2021
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Value
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MedPAC Comment on CMS's Proposed Rule on the Hospital Inpatient PPS and the Long-term Care Hospital PPS for FY 2022
Comments on a May 10, 2021, Federal Register proposed rule revising the hospital inpatient and long-term care hospital (LTCH) prospective payment systems. Discusses proposals on rate-setting in both the hospital and LTCH prospective payment systems, the use of "market-based" data to set Medicare severity–diagnosis related group (MS–DRG) relative weights, and changes to rural reclassification cancellation requirements for hospitals.
Date: 06/2021
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Comments on a May 10, 2021, Federal Register proposed rule revising the hospital inpatient and long-term care hospital (LTCH) prospective payment systems. Discusses proposals on rate-setting in both the hospital and LTCH prospective payment systems, the use of "market-based" data to set Medicare severity–diagnosis related group (MS–DRG) relative weights, and changes to rural reclassification cancellation requirements for hospitals.
Date: 06/2021
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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MedPAC Report to the Congress: Medicare and the Health Care Delivery System, June 2021
Evaluates Medicare payment issues and offers recommendations to the U.S. Congress. Chapter 5 presents an interim report on Medicare beneficiaries' access to care in rural areas. Also includes chapters on Medicare Advantage benchmark policy, alternative payment models, private equity and Medicare, the skilled nursing facility value-based purchasing program, indirect medical education payments, Medicare coverage of vaccines, separately payable drugs in the hospital outpatient prospective payment system, clinical laboratory fee schedule payment rates, and the relationship between clinician services and other Medicare services.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Date: 06/2021
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Evaluates Medicare payment issues and offers recommendations to the U.S. Congress. Chapter 5 presents an interim report on Medicare beneficiaries' access to care in rural areas. Also includes chapters on Medicare Advantage benchmark policy, alternative payment models, private equity and Medicare, the skilled nursing facility value-based purchasing program, indirect medical education payments, Medicare coverage of vaccines, separately payable drugs in the hospital outpatient prospective payment system, clinical laboratory fee schedule payment rates, and the relationship between clinician services and other Medicare services.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Date: 06/2021
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Report to Congress on Medicaid and CHIP, June 2021
Semi-annual report to Congress from the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC). Discusses high-cost specialty drugs in the Medicaid program, access to mental health services for those enrolled in Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), integration of physical and behavioral health care through electronic health records (EHRs), Medicaid's non-emergency transportation (NEMT) benefit, and state strategies for integrating care for people who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare. Includes rural references throughout.
Date: 06/2021
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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Semi-annual report to Congress from the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC). Discusses high-cost specialty drugs in the Medicaid program, access to mental health services for those enrolled in Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), integration of physical and behavioral health care through electronic health records (EHRs), Medicaid's non-emergency transportation (NEMT) benefit, and state strategies for integrating care for people who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare. Includes rural references throughout.
Date: 06/2021
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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COVID-19 Health Care Flexibilities: Perspectives, Experiences, and Lessons Learned
Recording of a May 19, 2021, U.S. Senate Committee on Finance hearing on healthcare flexibilities implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on telehealth. Discusses lessons learned and considerations for the extension of these flexibilities beyond the pandemic.
Additional links: Kisha Davis Testimony, Narayana Murali Testimony
Date: 05/2021
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Finance
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Recording of a May 19, 2021, U.S. Senate Committee on Finance hearing on healthcare flexibilities implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on telehealth. Discusses lessons learned and considerations for the extension of these flexibilities beyond the pandemic.
Additional links: Kisha Davis Testimony, Narayana Murali Testimony
Date: 05/2021
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Finance
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Medicare and Telehealth: Coverage and Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Options for the Future
Provides an overview of changes made to Medicare's coverage of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Explores Medicare beneficiaries' use of telehealth in summer and fall 2020, and presents data by beneficiary demographic characteristics, dual-eligibility, presence and type of chronic conditions, and metropolitan status. Examines issues and questions regarding telehealth coverage beyond the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Author(s): Wyatt Koma, Juliette Cubanski, Tricia Neuman
Date: 05/2021
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Provides an overview of changes made to Medicare's coverage of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Explores Medicare beneficiaries' use of telehealth in summer and fall 2020, and presents data by beneficiary demographic characteristics, dual-eligibility, presence and type of chronic conditions, and metropolitan status. Examines issues and questions regarding telehealth coverage beyond the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Author(s): Wyatt Koma, Juliette Cubanski, Tricia Neuman
Date: 05/2021
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Prevalence of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Among Medicare Fee-For-Service Beneficiaries — United States, 2001-2018
Examines prevalence of Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis among U.S. people aged 67 or more who were enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B and were not enrolled in a health maintenance organization plan. Features statistics with breakdowns by 6 levels of population density.
Author(s): Fang Xu, Susan A. Carlson, Yong Liu, Kurt J. Greenlund
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 70(19), 698–701
Date: 05/2021
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Examines prevalence of Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis among U.S. people aged 67 or more who were enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B and were not enrolled in a health maintenance organization plan. Features statistics with breakdowns by 6 levels of population density.
Author(s): Fang Xu, Susan A. Carlson, Yong Liu, Kurt J. Greenlund
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 70(19), 698–701
Date: 05/2021
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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