Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Policy
Billing & Coding Telehealth
Recording of a webinar presented in October at the NARHC 2020 Virtual Fall Institute covering telehealth billing requirements relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic. Discusses changes that may occur once the public health emergency end, and the posting and coding of telehealth services on a cost report.
Additional links: Presentation Slides
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Recording of a webinar presented in October at the NARHC 2020 Virtual Fall Institute covering telehealth billing requirements relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic. Discusses changes that may occur once the public health emergency end, and the posting and coding of telehealth services on a cost report.
Additional links: Presentation Slides
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Navigating RHC COVID-19 Testing Fund Reporting Requirements
Recording of an October 7, 2020, webinar providing detailed information about the reporting requirements for the Rural Health Clinic (RHC) COVID-19 Testing Relief Fund. Discusses the importance of reporting data and the type of data that should be documented. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides, Transcript
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Recording of an October 7, 2020, webinar providing detailed information about the reporting requirements for the Rural Health Clinic (RHC) COVID-19 Testing Relief Fund. Discusses the importance of reporting data and the type of data that should be documented. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides, Transcript
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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SHIP Pricing Transparency Guide
Supports Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program (SHIP) coordinators as they work to meet hospital price transparency rules. Provides an overview of the basics and history of price transparency regulations, key terms, eligibility, exemptions, and key components of the final rule. Includes resources, a list of shoppable services, and a template for work plan implementation.
Additional links: Price Transparency Webinar, Sample Price Transparency Work Plan
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organizations: Eide Bailly LLP, National Rural Health Resource Center
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Supports Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program (SHIP) coordinators as they work to meet hospital price transparency rules. Provides an overview of the basics and history of price transparency regulations, key terms, eligibility, exemptions, and key components of the final rule. Includes resources, a list of shoppable services, and a template for work plan implementation.
Additional links: Price Transparency Webinar, Sample Price Transparency Work Plan
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organizations: Eide Bailly LLP, National Rural Health Resource Center
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Telecommunications: FCC Should Enhance Performance Goals and Measures for Its Program to Support Broadband Service in High-Cost Areas
Examines the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) high-cost program's performance goals and measures and how they align with leading practices to enable the effective use of performance information. The high-cost program is designed to promote broadband deployment in areas that are not currently served by broadband. Discusses three key challenges the program faces in meeting its goals. Provides recommendations to the Chairman of the FCC to improve performance goals and measures and increase transparency.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Examines the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) high-cost program's performance goals and measures and how they align with leading practices to enable the effective use of performance information. The high-cost program is designed to promote broadband deployment in areas that are not currently served by broadband. Discusses three key challenges the program faces in meeting its goals. Provides recommendations to the Chairman of the FCC to improve performance goals and measures and increase transparency.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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The American Opioid Epidemic in Special Populations: Five Examples
Report on the disproportionate impacts of the opioid crisis on populations, in the criminal justice system, rural residents, veterans, young adults, and individuals who inject drugs. Offers statistical data for each group and discussion of opioid use disorder and mortality, barriers to treatment, promising strategies to address treatment issues, and research and policy priorities. Section on rural populations offers data on drug overdose deaths, rates of opioid prescription, and the association between economic distress and opioid-involved deaths.
Author(s): Carlos Blanco, Mir M. Ali, Aaron Beswick, et al.
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Academy of Medicine
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Report on the disproportionate impacts of the opioid crisis on populations, in the criminal justice system, rural residents, veterans, young adults, and individuals who inject drugs. Offers statistical data for each group and discussion of opioid use disorder and mortality, barriers to treatment, promising strategies to address treatment issues, and research and policy priorities. Section on rural populations offers data on drug overdose deaths, rates of opioid prescription, and the association between economic distress and opioid-involved deaths.
Author(s): Carlos Blanco, Mir M. Ali, Aaron Beswick, et al.
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Academy of Medicine
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Telebehavioral Health: An Effective Alternative to In-Person Care
Issue brief discussing telehealth treatment modalities based on a 2019 review of clinical outcomes related to telebehavioral health. Covers three state-level approaches: the Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center Rural Telemental Health Program (VA RTMH), which serves rural Oregon veterans, and Medicaid policies in Texas and Massachusetts. Addresses telebehavioral health policy details, implementation, and considerations for states looking to develop new telebehavioral health policies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Author(s): Brittany Lazur, Lily Sobolik, Valerie King
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: Milbank Memorial Fund
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Issue brief discussing telehealth treatment modalities based on a 2019 review of clinical outcomes related to telebehavioral health. Covers three state-level approaches: the Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center Rural Telemental Health Program (VA RTMH), which serves rural Oregon veterans, and Medicaid policies in Texas and Massachusetts. Addresses telebehavioral health policy details, implementation, and considerations for states looking to develop new telebehavioral health policies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Author(s): Brittany Lazur, Lily Sobolik, Valerie King
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: Milbank Memorial Fund
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Volume to Value Transition for Rural Health Systems
Policy position paper providing an overview of the transition from volume-based payment models to value-based payment models. Identifies opportunities and barriers to rural healthcare success in value-based payment models. Presents policy recommendations to promote rural healthcare facility participation in value-based payment models.
Author(s): Kim Breidenbach, Tammy Moore
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Policy position paper providing an overview of the transition from volume-based payment models to value-based payment models. Identifies opportunities and barriers to rural healthcare success in value-based payment models. Presents policy recommendations to promote rural healthcare facility participation in value-based payment models.
Author(s): Kim Breidenbach, Tammy Moore
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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"Tweener" Hospital Crisis
Policy position paper addressing the closure of hospitals that are too large to be considered Critical Access Hospitals but too small to be considered rural referral centers, and the challenges these facilities face. Discusses the impact of a hospital closure on the community. Includes policy recommendations to prevent the additional hospitals from closing.
Author(s): Alexandra Bryant, Lauren Canary, SuLynn Mester
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Policy position paper addressing the closure of hospitals that are too large to be considered Critical Access Hospitals but too small to be considered rural referral centers, and the challenges these facilities face. Discusses the impact of a hospital closure on the community. Includes policy recommendations to prevent the additional hospitals from closing.
Author(s): Alexandra Bryant, Lauren Canary, SuLynn Mester
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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NRHA Policy Paper: Rural Obesity
Policy position paper examining rural-urban differences in obesity prevalence, obesity as a factor in health disparities, differences in weight-related behaviors, and social determinants of health influencing rural obesity. Offers strategies and policy recommendations to address rural obesity.
Author(s): Demetrius Abshire, Cassity Gutierrez
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Policy position paper examining rural-urban differences in obesity prevalence, obesity as a factor in health disparities, differences in weight-related behaviors, and social determinants of health influencing rural obesity. Offers strategies and policy recommendations to address rural obesity.
Author(s): Demetrius Abshire, Cassity Gutierrez
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Rural Hospital CEO Turnover
Policy paper examining CEO turnover in rural hospitals. Discusses factors that contribute to CEO turnover as well as the impact of turnover on hospitals. Offers policy initiatives and recommendations for hospital boards to address CEO turnover.
Author(s): Mellie Bridewell, Matt Shahan
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Policy paper examining CEO turnover in rural hospitals. Discusses factors that contribute to CEO turnover as well as the impact of turnover on hospitals. Offers policy initiatives and recommendations for hospital boards to address CEO turnover.
Author(s): Mellie Bridewell, Matt Shahan
Date: 10/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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