https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/topics/health-care-quality Rural Healthcare Quality resources related to rural health, with information provided by the Rural Health Information Hub en Copyright 2026 Rural Health Information Hub https://p4qm.org/articles/now-open-public-comment-spring-2026-e-m-measures Partnership for Quality Measurement is seeking comments in the Spring 2026 Endorsement and Maintenance cycle. Comments are due July 7, 2026. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38636 Wed, 10 Jun 2026 09:12:18 -0500 https://library.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/impact-and-opportunities-ccbhcs-rural-communities-pep26-01-015.pdf Examines ways in which Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) are improving access to and quality of care in rural areas. Highlights opportunities and strategies for CCBHCs to fill service gaps in rural areas and to meet or exceed program requirements. -- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/28068 Fri, 05 Jun 2026 10:28:19 -0500 https://stratishealth.org/national-leadership/rural-health-quality-improvement-exchange/ A national membership organization dedicated to supporting and connecting rural health professionals, partners, and communities to improve care delivery and outcomes. Provides opportunities for shared learning, collaboration, professional development, and access to practical rural-focused resources. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/organizations/4473 Tue, 02 Jun 2026 16:01:43 -0500 https://stratishealth.org/pagename/meeting-the-moment-in-rural-health-transformation-stratis-health-accelerates-national-impact-through-narhi-acquisition/ The National Alliance for Rural Health Improvement (NARHI) has been acquired by Stratis Health and renamed the Rural Health Quality Improvement Exchange (RHQIX). RHQIX is a membership organization aiming to impact rural healthcare access, quality, and outcomes through education, professional development, peer networking, and rural-focused resources. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38611 Tue, 02 Jun 2026 15:27:33 -0500 https://www.flexmonitoring.org/sites/flexmonitoring.umn.edu/files/media/MBQIP_quality_measures_national_annual_report_2024.pdf Summarizes quality measure reporting rates and performance among Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) in 2024. Presents data on the five Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Project (MBQIP) domains: global measures, patient safety, patient engagement, care coordination, and emergency department. -- Flex Monitoring Team https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/28046 Tue, 02 Jun 2026 08:53:08 -0500 https://www.ruralhealth.us/blogs/2026/05-march/how-rural-hospitals-are-strengthening-heart-and-stroke-care Describes the American Heart Association's Rural Health Care Outcomes Accelerator, a program designed to assist rural hospitals with implementing evidence-based heart disease and stroke care. The 3-year free program includes access to resources, peer-learning and collaboration, and the AHA's Get With The Guidelines program. Highlights improved outcomes at hospitals across the country as part of participation in the program. Enrollment is open through June 2028. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38607 Tue, 02 Jun 2026 08:39:29 -0500 https://p4qm.org/prmr-msr-guidebook/working-draft-guidebook-policies-and-procedures-prmr-and-msr-2026 Comments are being accepted on the Partnership for Quality Measurement's 2026 draft of the Guidebook of Policies and Procedures for Pre-Rulemaking Measure Review (PRMR) and Measure Set Review (MSR). 2026 updates include PRMR recommendations meeting structure, PRMR measure previews, MSR performance and impact analyses, public comment posting, and website enhancements. Comments are due June 21, 2026. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38604 Mon, 01 Jun 2026 09:34:42 -0500 https://d2g5m5leph8kam.cloudfront.net/s3fs/s3fs-public/2026-05/2024-qpp-participation-results-at-a-glance.pdf?VersionId=yQGh5j15BoP.LpM8TxKuiS_lTlrpS9IQ Provides an overview of the results of the Quality Payment Program (QPP) for the 2024 performance year. Highlights the percentages of small and rural providers receiving negative, neutral, and positive payment adjustments for 2026. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27982 Tue, 26 May 2026 09:32:37 -0500 https://journals.stfm.org/familymedicine/2026/may/burmeister-0498/ Commentary describing the importance of continuity in rural healthcare, leading to better outcomes and increased patient trust. Discusses the advantages of clinicians knowing their patients well. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27962 Tue, 19 May 2026 14:16:37 -0500 https://d2g5m5leph8kam.cloudfront.net/s3fs/s3fs-public/2026-04/2026-MIPS-Automatic-EUC-Policy.pdf Addresses the automatic Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) extreme and uncontrollable circumstances (EUC) policy as it applies to individual MIPS eligible clinicians for 2026. Table 2 features information on reweighting for clinicians in a small practice. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27961 Tue, 19 May 2026 11:30:45 -0500 https://d2g5m5leph8kam.cloudfront.net/s3fs/s3fs-public/2026-03/2026-MIPS-Eligibility-Decision-Tree.pdf?VersionId=R3F.am1xiht3JyGeCn7NIuT9.QdAmAag Presents information to determine if providers are eligible to participate in the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) in the 2026 Performance Year. Includes information on the low-volume threshold criteria. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27936 Wed, 13 May 2026 13:40:38 -0500 https://rupri.public-health.uiowa.edu/publications/policybriefs/2026/MA_Plan_Quality_Scores.pdf Examines quality of care in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans by geography, region, and plan type. Analyzes average ratings of 2019-2023 MA plans on a 1-5 star rating scale according to metro, micro, or noncore rural location. Provides additional data on MA enrollments by rural concentration of contracts as well as star ratings by benchmark quartile and quality bonus capping. -- RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27934 Wed, 13 May 2026 10:24:18 -0500 https://zoom.us/meeting/register/RJYxL80NR5CZKkSx-VkssQ -- Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/events/25218 Tue, 12 May 2026 15:26:18 -0500 https://zoom.us/meeting/register/RJYxL80NR5CZKkSx-VkssQ -- Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/events/25217 Tue, 12 May 2026 15:23:39 -0500 https://zoom.us/meeting/register/RJYxL80NR5CZKkSx-VkssQ -- Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/events/25216 Tue, 12 May 2026 14:50:43 -0500 https://www.cms.gov/medicare/quality/quality-improvement-programs/quality-innovation-network-quality-improvement-organizations-qin-qio-program Provides a brief overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organizations (QIN-QIO) Program. Includes a list of current QIN-QIO contractors and contact information for each, as well as links to related resources. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27916 Mon, 11 May 2026 10:38:31 -0500 https://d2g5m5leph8kam.cloudfront.net/s3fs/s3fs-public/2026-05/2026-MIPS-PI-Hardship-Exception-Application-Guide.pdf Provides guidance on how clinicians can apply for a MIPS hardship exception. Highlights guidance for having your MIPS Promoting Interoperability performance category reweighted to 0% in cases of insufficient internet connectivity, decertified electronic health record technology, or other circumstances out of the clinicians' control. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27880 Mon, 04 May 2026 11:12:33 -0500 https://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/nhqrdr/trends24/index.html Provides a comprehensive summary and data analysis of healthcare quality and access in the U.S. Addresses access to healthcare, care affordability, healthy living, effective treatment, person-centered care, care coordination, and more. -- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27821 Fri, 24 Apr 2026 09:44:04 -0500 https://d2g5m5leph8kam.cloudfront.net/s3fs/s3fs-public/2026-04/2026-Traditional-MIPS-Scoring-Guide.pdf?VersionId=nk2MYLLH2IFx_8s4wtIhW_EhXre5UHYh Provides details on how scores are calculated for the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), one of two tracks under the Medicare Quality Payment Program. Explains the four performance categories that affect Medicare Physician Fee Schedule payments: quality, cost, improvement activities, and promoting interoperability. Includes information for small practices. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27740 Thu, 09 Apr 2026 09:26:03 -0500 https://d2g5m5leph8kam.cloudfront.net/s3fs/s3fs-public/2026-03/2026-MVPs-Implementation-Guide.pdf?VersionId=XdZ2SSJ1chhpH64LUvzM1PEOQenqTL3f Provides an overview of the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) Value Pathways (MVPs), a voluntary reporting option that can be used to meet MIPS reporting requirements for the 2026 performance year. Describes subgroup reporting, reporting requirements, scoring, performance feedback and public reporting, and how to register to report an MVP. Includes information on considerations and exceptions for small practices. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27674 Tue, 31 Mar 2026 14:05:22 -0500 https://qpp-cm-prod-content.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/3220/2025-Small-Practice-Action-Planning-Tool.pdf Tool for small practices interested in examining their 2023 Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) final score to identify opportunities to improve performance in 2025. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/25372 Mon, 30 Mar 2026 15:21:48 -0500 https://d2g5m5leph8kam.cloudfront.net/s3fs/s3fs-public/2026-03/2026-MIPS-Reporting-Options-Comparison-Resource.pdf Provides an overview of the similarities and differences among the three Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) reporting options: Traditional MIPS, MIPS Value Pathways (MVP), and Alternative Payment Model (APM) Performance Pathway (APP)/APP Plus. Designed to help providers understand which reporting options may be best for their practice. Includes information on reporting flexibilities and scoring for small and rural practices. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27643 Fri, 27 Mar 2026 08:55:29 -0500 https://d2g5m5leph8kam.cloudfront.net/s3fs/s3fs-public/2026-03/2026-MIPS-Participation-and-Eligibility-Guide.pdf?VersionId=q5mVu0DWJOBLN.ySnFy0w7p.44otct.C Provides an overview of the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) eligibility criteria. Addresses calculation of the low-volume threshold exclusion at the individual and group levels, opt-in and voluntary reporting options, and the impact of special status designations such as rural and small practices. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27618 Mon, 23 Mar 2026 13:33:02 -0500 https://www.jabfm.org/content/38/6/967 Examines the current Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) reimbursement landscape, challenges, and opportunities for improvement in rural primary care and emergency departments. Includes a section on financial differences between providing POCUS in Critical Access Hospitals and in Rural Health Clinics. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27519 Mon, 09 Mar 2026 09:08:29 -0500 https://p4qm.org/sites/default/files/2026-02/Final-2025-2026-MUC-Recommendations-Report-508.pdf Reviews the 24 pre-rulemaking quality measures the Battelle's Partnership for Quality Measurement (PQM) considered during the 2025-2026 Pre-Rulemaking Measure Review (PRMR) cycle. Discusses measures for clinician, hospital, and post-acute care/long-term care programs. Includes rural references and considerations throughout. -- Partnership for Quality Measurement https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27457 Fri, 27 Feb 2026 08:50:24 -0600 https://ruralhealthvalue.public-health.uiowa.edu/files/Catalog%20Value%20Based%20Initiatives%20for%20Rural%20Providers.pdf Summarizes rural-relevant, value-based programs currently or recently implemented by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the CMS Innovation Center. Designed to help rural healthcare leaders identify HHS value-based programs that are suitable for rural participation. Contains descriptions of each demonstration and provides direct links to the corresponding agency web page. -- Rural Health Value https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27430 Tue, 24 Feb 2026 09:27:24 -0600 https://www.cms.gov/files/document/2026-shared-savings-program-fast-facts.pdf Provides summary statistics on the Medicare Shared Savings Program as of January 1, 2026. Offers data on the number of Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), assigned beneficiaries, total earned shared savings, and quality scores each year since 2012; the number and percent of ACOs in each track; and more. Includes information on ACO participants, including the number of Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) participating in the program. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27295 Thu, 05 Feb 2026 08:46:09 -0600 https://www.nationalacademies.org/projects/HMD-HCS-25-04/publication/29360 Summarizes proceedings from an October 2025 workshop discussing current diagnostic challenges in rural areas and identifying strategies for improvement. Covers topics including access to diagnosis, diagnosis-related health disparities, new technologies and innovations, workforce training, education, and support, and other innovations in diagnosis and patient-centered care. -- National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27240 Thu, 29 Jan 2026 10:27:29 -0600 https://www.ruralhealthresearch.org/mirror/18/1800/medicare-ffs-expenditures-2009-2019.pdf Examines trends in Medicare Fee-for-Service spending among rural noncore, rural micropolitan, and urban beneficiaries, utilizing 2009-2019 CMS Medicare Geographic Variation Public Use files data. Details rural-urban differences in spending over time on per-patient hospital inpatient, hospital outpatient, physician services, and post-acute care, among other categories. Discusses implications for healthcare access and quality. -- University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27219 Mon, 26 Jan 2026 16:27:26 -0600 https://qpp-cm-prod-content.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/3614/Small-Practices-Guide-MIPS-eCQM-Reporting.pdf Provides an overview of electronic clinical quality measures (eCQMs) under the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). Describes how small practices can report eCQMs, whether participating as an individual clinician, group, subgroup, or Alternative Payment Model (APM) Entity. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/27208 Fri, 23 Jan 2026 11:16:19 -0600