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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural Health Clinics

Rural Health Clinic Readiness for Patient-Centered Medical Home Recognition: Preparing for the Evolving Healthcare Marketplace
Discusses the results from a survey of Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) that identified their capability to be eligible as a NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) and examines the need for technical assistance and support of RHCs in the development of the PCMH model.
Additional links: Research & Policy Brief
Author(s): John Gale, Zach Croll, David Hartley, Andrew F. Coburn
Date: 01/2015
Sponsoring organization: Maine Rural Health Research Center
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Implementation of the Affordable Care Act and Rural Health Clinic Capacity in Iowa
Examines the results from an online survey of 142 Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) in Iowa to determine their potential to respond to the opportunities and challenges of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Discusses the capacity of RHCs to provide dental care and mental health services, recruit primary care providers, and participate in value-based healthcare delivery.
Author(s): Brad Wright, Peter C. Damiano, Suzanne E. Bentler
Citation: Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 6(1), 61-65
Date: 2015
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Health Information Technology in the United States, 2015: Transition to a Post-HITECH World
Reports on health information technology (HIT) adoption over an 8-year period, and includes the results of programs supported by the HITECH Act. Exhibit 19 provides information on adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) and achievement of meaningful use for rural hospitals, Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), and others who received technical assistance from the Regional Extension Centers.
Date: 2015
Sponsoring organization: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
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How 3 Rural Safety Net Clinics Integrate Care for Patients: A Qualitative Case Study
Case study of two Rural Health Clinics and one rural Federally Qualified Health Center that were part of the Commonwealth Fund's Safety Net Medical Home Initiative (SNMHI), a project to implement and evaluate the patient-centered medical home (PCMH). Reports on challenges encountered related to a transition to team-based care and practical approaches for rural care coordination.
Author(s): Sarah Derrett, Kathryn E. Gunter, Robert S. Nocon, et al.
Citation: Medical Care, 52(11), S39-S47
Date: 11/2014
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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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Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System for FQHCs; Changes to Contracting Policies for RHCs; and Changes to Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 Enforcement Actions for Proficiency Testing Referral
The final rule with comment period that implements the methodology and payment rates for a prospective payment system (PPS) for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) services beginning October 1, 2014, under Medicare Part B, in compliance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Identifies the policy allowing Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) to contract with nonphysician practitioners when statutory requirements for employment of nurse practitioners and physician assistants are met, and incorporated other technical changes to FQHC and RHC regulations. Changes to the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 enforcement actions for proficiency testing referral are included.
Date: 05/2014
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Meaningful Use of Electronic Health Record by Rural Health Clinics
Identifies rates of electronic health record (EHR) adoption among a national, random sample of Rural Health Clinics (RHCs). Examines the extent to which RHCs that have adopted an EHR system are likely to achieve Stage 1 meaningful use.
Additional links: Policy Brief
Author(s): John A. Gale, David Hartley, Zachariah T. Croll
Date: 02/2014
Sponsoring organization: Maine Rural Health Research Center
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Understanding Adoption of a Personal Health Record in Rural Health Care Clinics: Revealing Barriers and Facilitators of Adoption Including Attributions about Potential Patient Portal Users and Self-reported Characteristics of Early Adopting Users
Examines patient survey data from Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) comparing patients who are early adopters of personal health records (PHRs) to those who do not use PHRs to understand clinic level barriers to PHR adoption. Provides information on staff perceptions of newly introduced PHR.
Author(s): Jorie Butler, Marjorie Carter, Candace Hayden, et al.
Citation: AMIA Annual Symposium Proceedings Archive, 2013, 152-161
Date: 11/2013
Sponsoring organization: American Medical Informatics Association
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Trends in Rural Health Clinics and Needs During U.S. Health Care Reform
Describes the changes that have occurred in Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and the characteristics that have remained the same from the late 1990s to 2007. Identifies some of the needs of RHCs as they transition through healthcare reform.
Author(s): Judith Ortiz, Natthani Meemon, Yue Zhou, Thomas T.H. Wan
Citation: Primary Health Care Research & Development, 14(4), 360-366
Date: 10/2013
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Accountable Care Organizations: Benefits and Barriers as Perceived by Rural Health Clinic Management
Describes results of a survey, focus groups, and phone interviews with Rural Health Clinic (RHC) management personnel regarding benefits of and barriers to RHC participation in Accountable Care Organizations.
Author(s): Judith Ortiz, Angeline Bushy, Yue Zhou, Hong Zhang
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 13(2), 2417
Date: 06/2013
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