Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Policy
Observation Care Services for Medicare Beneficiaries in Rural Hospitals: Policy Issues and Stakeholder Perspectives
Seeks to provide a greater understanding of rural-specific issues surrounding hospital outpatient observation status and the related implications for rural hospitals, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), and Medicare beneficiaries. Results are based on a multi-state, qualitative analysis of input from three respondent groups: state hospital associations, long-term care ombudsman offices, and Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs). Analysis focuses on the use of observation status by Medicare beneficiaries from 2010-2013.
Author(s): Walter Gregg, Samantha Mills, Yvonne Jonk
Date: 10/2014
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Seeks to provide a greater understanding of rural-specific issues surrounding hospital outpatient observation status and the related implications for rural hospitals, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), and Medicare beneficiaries. Results are based on a multi-state, qualitative analysis of input from three respondent groups: state hospital associations, long-term care ombudsman offices, and Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs). Analysis focuses on the use of observation status by Medicare beneficiaries from 2010-2013.
Author(s): Walter Gregg, Samantha Mills, Yvonne Jonk
Date: 10/2014
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Medicare Beneficiaries Paid Nearly Half of the Costs for Outpatient Services at Critical Access Hospitals
Compares the system Medicare used to calculate outpatient coinsurance amounts for patients who receive services at Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) with the system used for acute-care hospital patients. Recommends that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services seek legislative authority to modify the coinsurance calculation.
Date: 10/2014
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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Compares the system Medicare used to calculate outpatient coinsurance amounts for patients who receive services at Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) with the system used for acute-care hospital patients. Recommends that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services seek legislative authority to modify the coinsurance calculation.
Date: 10/2014
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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CMS Has Yet to Enforce a Statutory Provision Related to Rural Health Clinics
A study to determine the extent to which Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) no longer meet the location requirements. Also discusses whether the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has taken steps to address a prior Office of Inspector General recommendation to issue regulations defining the criteria for RHCs to be deemed "essential providers."
Date: 09/2014
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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A study to determine the extent to which Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) no longer meet the location requirements. Also discusses whether the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has taken steps to address a prior Office of Inspector General recommendation to issue regulations defining the criteria for RHCs to be deemed "essential providers."
Date: 09/2014
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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North Carolina Rural Health Action Plan: A Report of the NCIOM Task Force on Rural Health
Contains the North Carolina rural health action plan to improve rural health outcomes and identifies six key strategies at the state and local levels to address rural health disparities. See also: 2018 Update on Priority Strategies.
Date: 08/2014
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Institute of Medicine
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Contains the North Carolina rural health action plan to improve rural health outcomes and identifies six key strategies at the state and local levels to address rural health disparities. See also: 2018 Update on Priority Strategies.
Date: 08/2014
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Institute of Medicine
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Access to Rural Health Care – A Literature Review and New Synthesis
Reviews relevant literature to help clarify the meaning of access in the context of rural healthcare. Focuses on four dimensions of access including people, place, provider, and payment, and notes that changes in one dimension affects the others. Recommends that policymakers address all dimensions of access throughout the policymaking process to ensure best outcomes.
Author(s): A. Clinton MacKinney, Andrew Coburn, Jennifer Lundblad, et al.
Date: 08/2014
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute Rural Health Panel
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Reviews relevant literature to help clarify the meaning of access in the context of rural healthcare. Focuses on four dimensions of access including people, place, provider, and payment, and notes that changes in one dimension affects the others. Recommends that policymakers address all dimensions of access throughout the policymaking process to ensure best outcomes.
Author(s): A. Clinton MacKinney, Andrew Coburn, Jennifer Lundblad, et al.
Date: 08/2014
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute Rural Health Panel
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State Innovation Models (SIM) Initiative Evaluation: Model Design and Model Pre-Test Evaluation Report
Reports on the experiences of 19 states that received federal support to work on state health care innovation plans focused on developing innovative healthcare delivery and payment models. Discusses rural concerns in these states, as well as strategies to address rural healthcare needs. Some topics addressed include patient-centered medical homes, accountable care organizations, workforce, broadband access, electronic health record adoption, and telehealth.
Date: 07/2014
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, RTI International
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Reports on the experiences of 19 states that received federal support to work on state health care innovation plans focused on developing innovative healthcare delivery and payment models. Discusses rural concerns in these states, as well as strategies to address rural healthcare needs. Some topics addressed include patient-centered medical homes, accountable care organizations, workforce, broadband access, electronic health record adoption, and telehealth.
Date: 07/2014
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, RTI International
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The Role of Community Health Centers in Assessing the Social Determinants of Health for Planning and Policy: The Example of Frontier New Mexico
Discusses the use of the Tool for Health and Resilience in Vulnerable Environments (THRIVE) by a frontier-based community health center in New Mexico for evaluating and addressing social determinants of health.
Author(s): Sean Bruna, Lisa Cacari Stone, Susan Wilger, Jeremy Cantor, Carolina Guzman
Citation: Journal of Ambulatory Care Management, 37(3), 258-268
Date: 07/2014
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Discusses the use of the Tool for Health and Resilience in Vulnerable Environments (THRIVE) by a frontier-based community health center in New Mexico for evaluating and addressing social determinants of health.
Author(s): Sean Bruna, Lisa Cacari Stone, Susan Wilger, Jeremy Cantor, Carolina Guzman
Citation: Journal of Ambulatory Care Management, 37(3), 258-268
Date: 07/2014
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Homelessness in Rural America
Discusses the unique needs and characteristics of individuals and families experiencing homelessness in rural America. Makes recommendation to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services on ways to improve access to healthcare and other human services for America's rural homeless populations.
Date: 07/2014
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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Discusses the unique needs and characteristics of individuals and families experiencing homelessness in rural America. Makes recommendation to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services on ways to improve access to healthcare and other human services for America's rural homeless populations.
Date: 07/2014
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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Affordable Care Act Plans and Premiums in Rural America
Discusses insurance premium pricing for rural populations following the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, with a focus on rating area design to create adequate networks. Examines preliminary findings from a study focused on premium prices in rural Iowa and Nebraska. Offers recommendations to maximize the number of rural Americans who receive accessible, affordable health insurance.
Date: 07/2014
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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Discusses insurance premium pricing for rural populations following the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, with a focus on rating area design to create adequate networks. Examines preliminary findings from a study focused on premium prices in rural Iowa and Nebraska. Offers recommendations to maximize the number of rural Americans who receive accessible, affordable health insurance.
Date: 07/2014
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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American Indian Health Policy: Historical Trends and Contemporary Issues
Discusses the past, present, and future development of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) health policy. Identifies federal policy and legislation affecting Indian Health Service (IHS) funding and other federal funding that supports the healthcare received by AI/AN populations.
Author(s): Donald Warne, Linda Bane Frizzell
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 104(Suppl 3), 263–267
Date: 06/2014
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Discusses the past, present, and future development of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) health policy. Identifies federal policy and legislation affecting Indian Health Service (IHS) funding and other federal funding that supports the healthcare received by AI/AN populations.
Author(s): Donald Warne, Linda Bane Frizzell
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 104(Suppl 3), 263–267
Date: 06/2014
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