Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Policy
Early Adoption of Telehealth/Remote Patient Monitoring and Hospital Revenue Changes During COVID-19
Evaluates telehealth and remote patient monitoring use between 2019 and 2020 among 1,742 rural and urban hospitals to determine the impact of COVID-19 on utilization and revenue. Discusses potential policy measures given study findings.
Author(s): Claudia A. Rhoades, Brian E. Whitacre, Alison F. Davis
Citation: Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 31(10)
Date: 12/2025
view details
Evaluates telehealth and remote patient monitoring use between 2019 and 2020 among 1,742 rural and urban hospitals to determine the impact of COVID-19 on utilization and revenue. Discusses potential policy measures given study findings.
Author(s): Claudia A. Rhoades, Brian E. Whitacre, Alison F. Davis
Citation: Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 31(10)
Date: 12/2025
view details
Closing the Distance in Rural Primary Care: Evidence, Stories and Solutions
Explores the state of rural primary care in the United States. Describes recent federal legislation that may impact rural primary care, healthcare access, and health outcomes. Discusses trends in rural primary care, including comparisons between rural and urban primary care spending relative to all total spending, primary care workforce availability, and comprehensiveness of primary care. Presents five case studies highlighting rural primary care practices and practice models.
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organizations: Primary Care Collaborative, Robert Graham Center
view details
Explores the state of rural primary care in the United States. Describes recent federal legislation that may impact rural primary care, healthcare access, and health outcomes. Discusses trends in rural primary care, including comparisons between rural and urban primary care spending relative to all total spending, primary care workforce availability, and comprehensiveness of primary care. Presents five case studies highlighting rural primary care practices and practice models.
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organizations: Primary Care Collaborative, Robert Graham Center
view details
Final CY 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule: Fact Sheet
Fact sheet covering the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) telehealth policy changes for 2026 as outlined in the final calendar year (CY) 2026 Physician Fee Schedule. Covers the process for determining which services 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); and more.
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organization: Center for Connected Health Policy: The National Telehealth Policy Resource Center
view details
Fact sheet covering the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) telehealth policy changes for 2026 as outlined in the final calendar year (CY) 2026 Physician Fee Schedule. Covers the process for determining which services 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); and more.
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organization: Center for Connected Health Policy: The National Telehealth Policy Resource Center
view details
Tracking State Releases of Rural Health Transformation Program Applications
Presents an interactive map identifying state announcements and release of their Rural Health Transformation Program application materials or summaries.
Author(s): Rebecca Lopez, Jamila McLean, Heather Howard
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organization: State Health & Value Strategies
view details
Presents an interactive map identifying state announcements and release of their Rural Health Transformation Program application materials or summaries.
Author(s): Rebecca Lopez, Jamila McLean, Heather Howard
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organization: State Health & Value Strategies
view details
State Awards From Most of the Rural Health Funds Could Vary Only Modestly Despite Large Differences in Rural Needs
Describes the estimated Rural Health Transformation Program funding distribution among the 50 states. Includes information on the potential allocation criteria for funding distributed based on state need. Notes plans for distributing funding in years 2 through 5 of the award.
Author(s): Zachary Levinson, Scott Hulver, Tricia Neuman
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organization: KFF
view details
Describes the estimated Rural Health Transformation Program funding distribution among the 50 states. Includes information on the potential allocation criteria for funding distributed based on state need. Notes plans for distributing funding in years 2 through 5 of the award.
Author(s): Zachary Levinson, Scott Hulver, Tricia Neuman
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organization: KFF
view details
Medicare Waiver Expiration & Telehealth FAQs
Provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding the expiration of Medicare telehealth waivers on September 30, 2025. Covers in-person visit requirements, billing procedures, and the applicability of policies across different care settings, including Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs).
Additional links: Chart: Telehealth Medicare Post-September 30, 2025
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organization: Center for Connected Health Policy: The National Telehealth Policy Resource Center
view details
Provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding the expiration of Medicare telehealth waivers on September 30, 2025. Covers in-person visit requirements, billing procedures, and the applicability of policies across different care settings, including Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs).
Additional links: Chart: Telehealth Medicare Post-September 30, 2025
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organization: Center for Connected Health Policy: The National Telehealth Policy Resource Center
view details
On Demand: Mark Holmes on Public Policy, Health Care Financing and Rural Places
A recorded webinar featuring Mark Holmes, Director of the University of North Carolina (UNC) Sheps Center for Health Services Research. Focuses on public policy, research and data, and rural healthcare financing.
Author(s): Mark Holmes, Wyatt Beckman
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: Kansas Health Institute
view details
A recorded webinar featuring Mark Holmes, Director of the University of North Carolina (UNC) Sheps Center for Health Services Research. Focuses on public policy, research and data, and rural healthcare financing.
Author(s): Mark Holmes, Wyatt Beckman
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: Kansas Health Institute
view details
Positive Outliers: How Some Rural Communities Maintain Access to Labor and Delivery Services
Explores healthcare providers' approaches to ensuring maternal care access in rural Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Mississippi. Provides case studies on the role of rural hospitals and clinics in providing labor and delivery services, discusses financial and logistical challenges faced by providers, and details funding, policy, and service delivery strategies supporting continued access.
Author(s): Sarah Klein, Molly Castle Work
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organizations: Bassett Research Institute, Commonwealth Fund
view details
Explores healthcare providers' approaches to ensuring maternal care access in rural Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Mississippi. Provides case studies on the role of rural hospitals and clinics in providing labor and delivery services, discusses financial and logistical challenges faced by providers, and details funding, policy, and service delivery strategies supporting continued access.
Author(s): Sarah Klein, Molly Castle Work
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organizations: Bassett Research Institute, Commonwealth Fund
view details
State Strategies for the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP): A Milbank State Leadership Network Convening Recap
Summarizes discussions held by representatives from 24 states regarding opportunities and strategies related to the federal Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program and identifies areas for priority action. Includes links to resources shared during the discussions.
Author(s): Sofia Espinosa, Mary Louise Gilburg, Morgan McDonald
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: Milbank Memorial Fund
view details
Summarizes discussions held by representatives from 24 states regarding opportunities and strategies related to the federal Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program and identifies areas for priority action. Includes links to resources shared during the discussions.
Author(s): Sofia Espinosa, Mary Louise Gilburg, Morgan McDonald
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: Milbank Memorial Fund
view details
Calendar Year (CY) 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule (CMS-1832-F)
Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule regarding updates and changes to the Medicare payments under the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and other Medicare Part B issues for calendar year 2026. Summarizes provisions related to telehealth services; improving care for chronic illness and behavioral health needs; Rural Health Clinic (RHC) and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) care coordination services, services requiring direct supervision, and telecommunication services; and more.
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
view details
Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule regarding updates and changes to the Medicare payments under the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and other Medicare Part B issues for calendar year 2026. Summarizes provisions related to telehealth services; improving care for chronic illness and behavioral health needs; Rural Health Clinic (RHC) and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) care coordination services, services requiring direct supervision, and telecommunication services; and more.
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
view details