Rural Health & Human Services News by Topic: Healthcare business and finance - Rural Health Information Hub

CMS: Medicare Program: Regulatory Alignment for Predictable and Immediate Device Coverage Pathway

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requesting comments on the process used to accelerate Medicare coverage through the Regulatory Alignment for Predictable and Immediate Device (RAPID) coverage pathway for new technologies. The RAPID coverage pathway will provide accelerated Medicare beneficiary access to certain eligible Class II and Class III Food and Drug Administration Breakthrough-designated Devices. Comments are due October 13, 2026.

ACF: Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) from the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) proposing to rescind and replace the Head Start Program Performance Standards. Among other things, the proposed revisions intend to reduce Federal regulation and duplication; empower states, local programs, and families with greater authority and flexibility; advance the health and well-being of children and communities; and reinforce evidence-based standards for health, nutrition, and physical activity. Comments are due by October 6, 2026.

New Pharmacy Opens in Hillsboro, Addressing Rural Healthcare Gap

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

A new pharmacy has opened in a rural Wisconsin community. Discusses the access challenges the community has previously faced and the advantages of participating in a network of pharmacies.

CMS: Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the re-establishment of a matching program between CMS and the Department of War titled "Verification of Eligibility for Minimum Essential Coverage Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act through a Department of War Health Benefits Plan." CMS will share data from the Department of War with state administering entities (AEs) to verify if an applicant is enrolled in Minimum Essential Coverage in a Veterans Health Administration Health Care Program. This information from the Department of War will be used to assist CMS and AEs in determining if an individual is eligible for financial assistance. Comments are due by September 4, 2026.

Hospitals Can Close Rural Cancer Care Gaps Through New American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer Accreditation Category

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer has added a new accreditation category for rural hospitals with the goal of improving healthcare quality and outcomes for cancer patients. Notes that there are fewer accredited hospitals and less access to specialty care in rural areas.

CMS: Medicare Program; Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems for Acute Care Hospitals (IPPS) and the Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System and Policy Changes and Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Rates; Requirements for Quality Programs; Other Policy Changes; and Adoption of Updated Versions of Certain Health Information Technology Standards

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice of a final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) revising the hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) for operating and capital-related costs of acute care hospitals for fiscal year 2027. This rule also makes changes to Medicare graduate medical education (GME) for teaching hospitals; payment policies and the annual payment rates for the Medicare prospective payment system (PPS) for inpatient hospital services provided by long-term care hospitals; and requirements for certain quality programs, among other things. The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) also adopts certain health information technology (health IT) standards and specifications on behalf of HHS. These regulations are effective October 1, 2026.

HRSA: Notice Regarding 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announcing the availability of a revised 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program (Pilot). The Pilot provides a rebate mechanism through which qualifying drug manufacturers may effectuate the 340B ceiling price for certain drugs sold to covered entities. Eligible manufacturers seeking to participate in the 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program must submit plans to 340BPricing@hrsa.gov by August 24, 2026, for an effective date of January 1, 2027.

CMS: Medicare Program; Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System for Federal Fiscal Year 2027 and Updates to the IRF Quality Reporting Program

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice of a final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updating the prospective payment system (PPS) rates for inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) for fiscal year 2027. Among other things, this rule includes classification and weighting factors for the IRF prospective payment system's case-mix groups, finalizes the third and final year of the 3-year phase-out of the rural adjustments, and updates the IRF Quality Reporting Program and changes to the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program. This rule also summarizes comments received in response to requests for information regarding alternative data sources for the IRF PPS wage index and potential future IRF PPS payment reform. These regulations are effective October 1, 2026.

CMS: Medicare Program; FY 2027 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice of a final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updating the hospice wage index, payment rates, and aggregate cap amount for fiscal year 2027. Among other things, this rule finalizes conforming regulation text changes to discharge from hospice care regulations and the face-to-face encounter regulations. This rule also summarizes comments received in response to requests for information regarding community-based palliative care; the construction of a hospice-specific wage index; and the overlap between hospice and medical aid in dying laws. These regulations are effective October 1, 2026.

Rural Virginia EMS Crews Train for Roadside Deliveries as Labor, Delivery Units Close

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Rural emergency management service crews in Virginia have received training for delivering babies on roadsides. There have been recent increases in roadside deliveries following closure of rural labor and delivery departments in some hospitals.

HRSA Announces Revised 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program to Strengthen Care in Rural and Medically Underserved Communities

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Announces the revised 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program to use a claims-based rebate approach. Eligible manufacturers must submit rebate plans by August 24, 2026 for pricing periods effective January 1, 2027.

CMS: Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities; Updates to the Quality Reporting Program for Federal Fiscal Year 2027

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updating the skilled nursing facility (SNF) prospective payment system (PPS) payment rates for fiscal year 2027. This rule also updates the requirements for the SNF Quality Reporting Program and the SNF Value-Based Purchasing Program. These regulations are effective October 1, 2026.

CMS: Medicare Program; FY 2027 Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities Prospective Payment System-Rate Update

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updating the FY 2027 prospective payment rates, outlier threshold, and wage index for Medicare Inpatient Hospital Services provided by inpatient psychiatric facilities (IPF), including psychiatric hospitals and excluded psychiatric units of an acute care hospital or Critical Access Hospital. Among other things, this rule also refines the IPF PPS outlier policy, implements a standardized IPF patient assessment, and removes two measures used in the IPF Quality Reporting Program. These regulations are effective October 1, 2026.

CMS: Medicare Program; Updates to the Master List of Items Potentially Subject to Face-to-Face Encounter and Written Order Prior to Delivery and/or Prior Authorization Requirements; Updates to the Required Face-to-Face Encounter and Written Order Prior to Delivery List; and Updates to the Required Prior Authorization List

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announcing updates to the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes on the Master List, as well as HCPCS codes on the Required Face-to-Face Encounter and Written Order Prior to Delivery List and the Required Prior Authorization List. These updates, excluding prior authorization requirements for upper limb orthoses, are effective October 28, 2026. Prior authorization requirements for upper limb orthoses will be implemented in three phases, and will be effective in all states and territories on April 26, 2027.

CDC: National Center for Health Statistics, Meeting of the ICD-10 Coordination and Maintenance Committee

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Announces a virtual public meeting of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), Classifications and Public Health Data Standards, ICD-10 Coordination and Maintenance (C&M) Committee to be held on September 15-16, 2026. The agenda includes a discussion of ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS topics, a list of which is provided in the notice. Registration is required.

'It Isn't Sustainable.' Casper OB-GYN Weathers Maternity Care Shortage

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Describes obstetrical and gynecological workforce shortages in Wyoming. Discusses the impact of the shortages on provider burnout, availability of routine maternal healthcare, recruiting and retention in rural and other communities, and clinic finances. Discusses the focus on maternity care in Wyoming's Rural Health Transformation Program plan.

Medical Schools Work to Address Shortage of Specialists in Rural Healthcare

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Describes the shortage of physicians in rural communities and highlights medical schools across the country focused on training the rural workforce. Discusses the Health Professions Opportunity Grant (HPOG), a federal career pathway program aiming to bring more people into healthcare careers. Highlights challenges with bringing more physicians to rural communities including physician preferences and hospital closures.

How a Rural Health Merger Brought More Care Closer to Home

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Sanford Health and Marshfield Clinic Health System merged in 2025, creating a rural health organization that serves Wisconsin, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, Iowa, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This has improved recruiting and retention of staff and expanded access to care for underserved rural communities.

CMS: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Quarterly Listing of Program Issuances-April Through June 2026

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Quarterly listing of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) manual instructions, substantive and interpretive regulations, and Federal Register notices published from April through June 2026, including contact information for general questions or additional information about specific sections.

CMS: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Medicare Transaction Facilitator under Sections 11001 and 11002 of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and 2) Collection of Prescription Drug Event Data from Contracted Part D Providers for Payment. Comments are due by September 22, 2026.

CMS: Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey and 2) Beneficiary and Family Centered Data Collection. Comments are due by August 24, 2026.

CMS: Notice of Public Data Asset Release Under the Open, Public, Electronic, and Necessary (OPEN) Government Data Act

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announcing the forthcoming release of the following public data assets in open, machine-readable formats under an open license, with utilization and payment data aggregated by provider and service: Medicaid Provider Spending by National Drug Code (NDC) and Medicaid Provider Enrollment Segments.

CMS: Medicaid Program; Amending the Indirect Hold Harmless Threshold of Health Care-Related Taxes

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice of a proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposing the revision of standards for determining whether an indirect hold harmless arrangement exists for a healthcare-related tax. Also proposes sunsetting a secondary prong to the indirect hold harmless determination to ensure the thresholds determined as of July 4, 2025, serve as the maximum permissible level and adding a new permissible class to enhance CMS oversight of healthcare-related taxes. Comments are due by September 21, 2026.

Call for Papers: Advancing Age-Friendly Health Systems for Veterans

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The Veterans Administration's (VA) Medical Care and VA Health Systems Research (HSR) have issued a call for papers for a special issue on Advancing Age-Friendly Health Systems for Veterans. Articles should focus on research, implementation, or clinical innovation as well as the entirety of the 4Ms (Mobility, Mentation, Medications, and What Matters). Rurality is a topic area of interest. Abstracts are optional and may be submitted by September 15, 2026. Manuscripts may be submitted until December 15, 2026.

CMS: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Transformed—Medicaid Statistical Information System (T-MSIS) and 2) the In-Center Hemodialysis Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Survey Mode Experiment. Comments are due by September 21, 2026.

CMS: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2027; and Basic Health Program; Correction

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services making technical and typographical corrections to the May 20, 2026, final rule. These corrections are effective July 20, 2026.

CMS: Medicare Program; Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program Draft Guidance; Comment Request

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on draft guidance for the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program regarding manufacturer effectuation of the maximum fair price in 2028 for the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA). Comments are due by September 18, 2026.

HRSA: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection: Public Comment Request; Information Collection Request Title: National Practitioner Data Bank for Adverse Information on Physicians and Other Health Care Practitioners-45 CFR Part 60 Regulations and Forms, OMB No. 0906-0081-Revision

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice from the Health Services and Resources Administration (HRSA) seeking comments on an information collection request titled "National Practitioner Data Bank for Adverse Information on Physicians and Other Health Care Practitioners—45 CFR part 60 Regulations and Forms, OMB No. 0906-0081—Revision." The National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) aims to improve the quality of healthcare by encouraging hospitals, state licensing boards, professional societies, and other eligible entities providing healthcare services to identify and discipline those who engage in unprofessional behavior, and to restrict the ability of incompetent healthcare practitioners, providers, or suppliers to move from state to state without disclosure or discovery of previous damaging or incompetent performance. Comments are due by September 15, 2026.

CMS: Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Application To Be a Qualified Entity to Receive Medicare Data for Performance Measurement/Reapplication/Annual Report Worksheet, and 2) Good Cause Processes. Comments are due by August 17, 2026.

CMS: Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Generic Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) CHIP State Plan Eligibility; 2) Model Application Template and Instructions for State Child Health Plan Under Title XXI of the Social Security Act, State Children's Health Insurance Program; 3) Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Quality Measure Set (QMS) Reporting; 4) Medicaid State Plan Eligibility; 5) Health Home State Plan Amendment (SPA); 6) Child and Adult Core Set Measures; and 7) Health Home Core Sets. Comments are due July 30, 2026.