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

Why Are Some Rural Medicare Patients Paying More than Patients at Bigger Hospitals?

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Highlights the increased cost of healthcare for rural Vermont residents due to Medicare reimbursement policy for Critical Access Hospitals. Notes that policymakers are investigating solutions that equitably distribute cost while supporting CAHs that may be negatively impacted by budget changes.

A Missouri Pilot Program Reimagines Rural Hospitals as the Central Hub for More Than Healthcare

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Highlights a pilot program in a rural Missouri community offering a coordinated response to health and social needs for Medicaid patients. The program allows hospitals and other organizations to refer patients to service providers and track whether their needs are getting addressed. Describes how the program was started, the federal waiver that allows the program to run, and the technology used for it. Discusses sustainability challenges common for rural service providers.

CMS: Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Application From the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities for Continued CMS-Approval of its Rural Health Clinic (RHC) Accreditation Program

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Announcement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the approval of the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, dba QUAD A, for continued recognition as a national accrediting organization for Rural Health Clinics that wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs. This approval is applicable from March 23, 2026, through March 23, 2032.

What Does It Take to Restore Rural Maternity Care? One NC Hospital Shows a Way.

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Profiles a labor and delivery department in a rural North Carolina Critical Access Hospital. Maternity services were re-started in 2020 using family physicians after closing the department in 1991. Describes maternity care access across North Carolina, challenges with sustaining the service for rural communities, and how they can be a model to other rural communities.

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

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making technical corrections to the February 11, 2026, proposed rule. This correction is effective March 6, 2026.

Juniata College Is Planning a Rural Health Collaborative in Huntingdon County with Federal Funding

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Highlights a Pennsylvania recipient of the Health Resources & Services Administration's Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant. Describes their progress in forming a plan for the Rural Health Collaborative including how to develop a network that meets community needs and utilizes existing resources.

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

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0600

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on an information collection titled "Medicare Quality of Care Complaint Form." Comments are due by April 1, 2026.

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

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0600

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on an information collection titled "Medicare Enrollment Application for Physician and Non-Physician Practitioners." The Form CMS-855I is the enrollment application submitted by physicians and non-physician practitioners to ensure the applicant has the necessary credentials to provide the healthcare services for which they intend to bill Medicare. Comments are due by April 1, 2026.

White Earth Nation First Minnesota Tribe to Receive National Accreditation for Health Care

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Announces the White Earth Nation's healthcare system has received national accreditation from the Public Health Accreditation Board. They are the first tribal nation in Minnesota to receive this accreditation. Describes the benefits of being accredited.

CMS: Request for Information (RFI) Related to Comprehensive Regulations To Uncover Suspicious Healthcare (CRUSH)

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking stakeholder feedback on potential regulatory changes that may be included in a proposed rule regarding the Comprehensive Regulations to Uncover Suspicious Healthcare (CRUSH) initiative and to inform other programmatic changes that could be implemented to make CMS more effective in addressing fraud. Includes specific questions and topics of interest to CMS, including modifications to program integrity requirements, preventing fraudulent billing in Medicare Advantage, reducing fraudulent Medicare Parts A and B claim submissions, using artificial intelligence in MA coding oversight and billing, and more. Comments are by March 30, 2026.

CMS: Medicare, Medicaid, and Children's Health Insurance Programs: Announcement of Nationwide Temporary Moratoria on Enrollment of Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Supplier Medical Supply Companies

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announcing a 6-month nationwide moratorium on the Medicare enrollment of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) supplier medical supply companies. The moratorium takes effect on February 27, 2026.

HRSA: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection: Public Comment Request; Information Collection Request Title: 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program Application, Implementation, and Evaluation, OMB Number 0906-NEW

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) seeking comments on a proposed information collection request titled "340B Rebate Model Pilot Program Application, Implementation, and Evaluation, OMB No. 0906-XXXX." This information collection request includes the collection of proposed rebate model plans from qualifying drug manufacturers, the ongoing collection of sales data from drug manufacturers for program evaluation and 340B Program integrity and compliance monitoring, and the collection of data submitted by covered entities to manufacturers to request a rebate in connection with a potential 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program. Comments are due by April 27, 2026.

HRSA: Request for Information: 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program Extension

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is allowing an additional 30 days for comments on the February 17, 2026, request for information regarding the potential use of rebates to effectuate the ceiling price under the 340B Program. Comments are now due by April 20, 2026.

IRS, TREAS, EBSA, DOL, CMS, HHS: Transparency in Coverage

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Notice from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Department of the Treasury, Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), Department of Labor (DOL), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) extending the comment period for the December 23, 2025, proposed rule titled "Transparency in Coverage." Comments are now due March 2, 2026.

Texas A&M Program Targets Rural Health Care Through Value-Based Care Model

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Describes a value-based care program has been implemented in Texas. Discusses how many patients have been served, how rural is defined, rural healthcare challenges, and upcoming plans for the program.

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

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

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 March 17-18, 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.

HHS: Medications for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder; Correction

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) making corrections to the February 2, 2024, final rule titled "Medications for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder." These corrections are effective February 23, 2026.

CMS: Medicare Program; Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems; Quality Reporting Programs; Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating; Hospital Price Transparency; and Notice of Closure of a Teaching Hospital and Opportunity To Apply for Available Slots; Correction

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making technical corrections to the November 25, 2025, final rule. This correction is applicable January 1, 2026.

CMS: Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Quarterly Listing of Program Issuances-October Through December 2025

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Quarterly listing of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) manual instructions, substantive and interpretive regulations, and Federal Register notices published from October through December 2025, including contact information for general questions or additional information about specific sections.

The Rural Care Crisis Is an Economic Issue, Not Just a Public Health One

Sun, 22 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Summarizes a presentation at ViVE 2026 discussing the economic impact of the closure of rural health facilities and service lines.

HRSA: Request for Information: 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is seeking comments on a request for information (RFI) regarding the potential use of rebates to effectuate the ceiling price under the 340B Program. The information collected through this RFI will be used to evaluate the potential benefits and costs of a rebate model, and such a model's operational, financial, and access to drugs for patients of a rebate model on covered entities, manufacturers, and other stakeholders. Comments are due by March 19, 2026.

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

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on an information collection titled "CMS Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) Enrollment Registration, CMS EDI Enrollment Form, and CMS EDI Enrollment Attestation Form." The forms collect essential information necessary to identify Medicare providers and suppliers during electronic transactions, authorize requested EDI functions, and establish appropriate access privileges for healthcare entities. These forms ensure compliance with HIPAA transaction standards while implementing strengthened security requirements for billing vendors and clearing houses that handle Medicare data. Comments are due by March 16, 2026.

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

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Program; 2) National Implementation of the Outpatient and Ambulatory Surgery Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (OAS CAHPS); and 3) Elimination of Cost-Sharing for Full Benefit Dual-Eligible Individuals Receiving Home and Community-Based Services. Comments are due by March 16, 2026.

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

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Emergency and Foreign Hospital Services and Supporting Regulation in 42 CFR 424.103; 2) Consumer Experience Survey Data Collection; 3) Summary of Benefits and Coverage and Uniform Glossary; and 4) Transformed—Medicaid Statistical Information System (T-MSIS). Comments are due by April 14, 2026.

Mississippi Senate Pushes to Let Rural Hospitals Offer New Services

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Highlights policy efforts in the Mississippi legislature aiming to support rural hospitals in creating new revenue streams through new services. The proposed legislation amends certificate of need regulations in the state.

Salinas, Moolenaar, Tokuda, Moylan Lead Bipartisan Effort To Save Rural Hospitals And Clinics

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Congressional representatives Andrea Salinas (OR), John Moolenaar (MI), Jill Tokuda (HI), and James Moylan (Guam) have introduced the Rural Health Care Facilities Revitalization Act, a bill to strengthen the nation's rural healthcare infrastructure and ease financial pressures faced by rural hospitals. The bill authorizes rural health facilities to use Community Facility Loans or loan guarantees from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to refinance debt, update technology, and support operating expenses to ensure financial stability.

Financial Fix, Quality Flaw: Lessons From Pennsylvania's Rural Health Model

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

An evaluation of the Pennsylvania Rural Health Model, describing changes intended to improve care quality, increase access to preventive services, and address local community health needs.

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

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Notice of proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services presenting methods to improve the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, including payment parameters and provisions related to the HHS-operated risk adjustment and risk adjustment data validation (HHS-RADV) programs. Among other things, this proposed rule also contains 2027 user fee rates for qualified health plans (QHPs) through Federally-facilitated Exchanges (FFEs) and State-based Exchanges on the Federal platform (SBE-FPs). Comments are due March 13, 2026.

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

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is seeking comments on the Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) for Medicare Advantage (MA) Plans and Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) in order to determine is MLRs meet the statutory standard of a minimum of 85%. Comments are due April 13, 2026.

CMS: Privacy Act of 1974; Matching Program

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on a new matching program between CMS and the Social Security Administration (SSA) titled "Determining Enrollment or Eligibility for Insurance Affordability Programs Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act." This matching program will provide CMS with information for determining individuals' eligibility for enrollment in a Qualified Health Plan, issuing certificates of exemption, and eligibility redeterminations and renewals. Comments are due by March 11, 2026.