Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Policy
MedPAC Comment on CMS's Proposed Rule on Contract Year 2021 and 2022 Policy and Technical Changes to Medicare Advantage and Part D
Responds to a proposed rule to revise regulations for Medicare Advantage (MA) and the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit program (Part D). Provides comments on CMS proposals regarding out-of-network telehealth benefits, updates to the quality rating models for MA and Part D plans, and changes to MA network adequacy standards. Discusses how changes to network adequacy standards would impact access to dialysis facilities for beneficiaries in micropolitan counties, rural counties, and counties with extreme access considerations (CEAC).
Date: 04/2020
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Responds to a proposed rule to revise regulations for Medicare Advantage (MA) and the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit program (Part D). Provides comments on CMS proposals regarding out-of-network telehealth benefits, updates to the quality rating models for MA and Part D plans, and changes to MA network adequacy standards. Discusses how changes to network adequacy standards would impact access to dialysis facilities for beneficiaries in micropolitan counties, rural counties, and counties with extreme access considerations (CEAC).
Date: 04/2020
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Rural Health Care and Medicaid Telehealth Flexibilities, and Guidance Regarding Section 1009 of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act (Pub. L. 115-271), entitled Medicaid Substance Use Disorder Treatment via Telehealth
Discusses the benefits of utilizing telehealth services to expand access to Medicaid services in rural areas and the flexibility states have in covering these services. Provides guidance on options states have to receive federal reimbursement for substance use disorder treatments provided via telehealth services.
Date: 04/2020
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Discusses the benefits of utilizing telehealth services to expand access to Medicaid services in rural areas and the flexibility states have in covering these services. Provides guidance on options states have to receive federal reimbursement for substance use disorder treatments provided via telehealth services.
Date: 04/2020
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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CARES Act: Provisions to Help Rural Hospitals
Provides an overview of aspects of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act designed to support rural hospitals. Highlights provisions related to access to capital, Medicare payments, and telehealth, among others.
Date: 04/2020
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Provides an overview of aspects of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act designed to support rural hospitals. Highlights provisions related to access to capital, Medicare payments, and telehealth, among others.
Date: 04/2020
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Public Law 116-136: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act
Text of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law 116-136 (March 27, 2020). Outlines telehealth flexibilities to support providers and enhance access to care during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. Among other things, the CARES Act allows Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) to serve as distant sites to provide telehealth services to patients in their homes during the public health emergency (PHE); establishes the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP); extends the ability to order home health services to physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and certified nurse specialists; and provides additional funding to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to enable the provision of telehealth services.
Date: 03/2020
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Congress
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Text of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law 116-136 (March 27, 2020). Outlines telehealth flexibilities to support providers and enhance access to care during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. Among other things, the CARES Act allows Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) to serve as distant sites to provide telehealth services to patients in their homes during the public health emergency (PHE); establishes the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP); extends the ability to order home health services to physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and certified nurse specialists; and provides additional funding to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to enable the provision of telehealth services.
Date: 03/2020
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Congress
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National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services Meeting Summary, Atlanta, Georgia, March 2-4, 2020
Summarizes the 87th meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services (NACRHHS), which was held in Atlanta, Georgia. Presents an overview of national and state perspectives on the meeting's two areas of focus: rural maternal health and HIV prevention and treatment.
Date: 03/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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Summarizes the 87th meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services (NACRHHS), which was held in Atlanta, Georgia. Presents an overview of national and state perspectives on the meeting's two areas of focus: rural maternal health and HIV prevention and treatment.
Date: 03/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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Second Report to Congress: Social Risk Factors and Performance in Medicare's Value-Based Purchasing Programs
Analyzes the effect of individuals' social risk factors on quality measures, resource utilization, and other Medicare program measures using Medicare and non-Medicare data sources. Describes how Medicare value-based purchasing (VBP) programs impact providers who serve socially at-risk beneficiaries. Categorizes rurality as a social risk factor. Explores emerging trends among providers addressing social risk factors through cooperation with social services and community-based organizations. Offers policy recommendations for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to account for social risk factors in VBP programs and achieve better outcomes for those with social risk factors. Second of two reports required by the Improving Medicare Post-Acute Care Transformation (IMPACT) Act of 2014. See the first report.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Date: 03/2020
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Analyzes the effect of individuals' social risk factors on quality measures, resource utilization, and other Medicare program measures using Medicare and non-Medicare data sources. Describes how Medicare value-based purchasing (VBP) programs impact providers who serve socially at-risk beneficiaries. Categorizes rurality as a social risk factor. Explores emerging trends among providers addressing social risk factors through cooperation with social services and community-based organizations. Offers policy recommendations for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to account for social risk factors in VBP programs and achieve better outcomes for those with social risk factors. Second of two reports required by the Improving Medicare Post-Acute Care Transformation (IMPACT) Act of 2014. See the first report.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Date: 03/2020
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Antibiotic Resistance: Additional Federal Actions Needed to Better Determine Magnitude and Reduce Impact
Explores four challenges that federal agencies face in addressing antibiotic resistance. Provides eight recommendations for federal agencies to strengthen their efforts to combat antibiotic resistance. Includes references to antibiotic stewardship guidance and programs for Critical Access Hospitals throughout.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 03/2020
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Explores four challenges that federal agencies face in addressing antibiotic resistance. Provides eight recommendations for federal agencies to strengthen their efforts to combat antibiotic resistance. Includes references to antibiotic stewardship guidance and programs for Critical Access Hospitals throughout.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 03/2020
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Maternal Mortality: Trends in Pregnancy-Related Deaths and Federal Efforts to Reduce Them
Examines trends in pregnancy-related deaths between 2007 and 2016, Analyzes data by cause of death and patient demographic characteristics. Appendix III lists ongoing Department of Health and Human Services funding opportunities to address maternal mortality, including the Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies (RMOMS) Program. Appendix V provides an overview of efforts to reduce maternal mortality in California, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, and Texas.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 03/2020
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Examines trends in pregnancy-related deaths between 2007 and 2016, Analyzes data by cause of death and patient demographic characteristics. Appendix III lists ongoing Department of Health and Human Services funding opportunities to address maternal mortality, including the Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies (RMOMS) Program. Appendix V provides an overview of efforts to reduce maternal mortality in California, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, and Texas.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 03/2020
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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MACPAC Response to Senate Finance Committee Request for Information on Maternal Health
Summarizes the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission's (MACPAC) examination of the role of Medicaid in maternity care. Describes results of its analysis of Medicaid-financed maternity care and program performance, an inventory of Medicaid policies, and plans to analyze policy solutions. Includes rural references throughout.
Date: 03/2020
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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Summarizes the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission's (MACPAC) examination of the role of Medicaid in maternity care. Describes results of its analysis of Medicaid-financed maternity care and program performance, an inventory of Medicaid policies, and plans to analyze policy solutions. Includes rural references throughout.
Date: 03/2020
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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Rural Health Concerns, Opportunities and Strategies for COVID19: Early Thoughts of the State Offices of Rural Health
Summarizes three listening sessions with the 50 State Offices of Rural Health held in March 2020 to identify rural health challenges and opportunities related to COVID-19. Identifies concerns SORHs are hearing from their constituents, innovative rural strategies, collaboration opportunities, needed resources, and concerns related to Federal Office of Rural Health Policy grants and cooperative agreements.
Date: 03/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
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Summarizes three listening sessions with the 50 State Offices of Rural Health held in March 2020 to identify rural health challenges and opportunities related to COVID-19. Identifies concerns SORHs are hearing from their constituents, innovative rural strategies, collaboration opportunities, needed resources, and concerns related to Federal Office of Rural Health Policy grants and cooperative agreements.
Date: 03/2020
Sponsoring organization: National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
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