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://qpp.cms.gov/content-management/resources/document/bc60a369-dd30-49d4-9f4a-d3a2430f50b2/download/file Provides answers to frequently asked questions about the 2025 Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) performance feedback for small practices. Includes information on how to access and navigate performance feedback, as well as performance category reweighting and redistribution. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/28902 Fri, 02 Oct 2026 14:53:05 -0500 https://rhqix.member365.org/public/event/details/953f6a9db54e9cfb26edb1a5cab5b3c5a131225f/1 -- Rural Health Quality Improvement Exchange https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/events/25650 Thu, 01 Oct 2026 08:50:20 -0500 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jrh.70220 Examines the relationship between outpatient care fragmentation and Medicare patient satisfaction. Utilizes 2020-2022 survey data from 2,294 Medicare beneficiaries to analyze physician and practice-level fragmentation alongside patient satisfaction, measured by perceived accessibility, communication, coordination, and quality as experienced by rural, suburban, and urban Medicare populations. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/28778 Tue, 15 Sep 2026 15:33:42 -0500 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/14/2026-18649/agency-information-collection-activities-proposed-collection-comment-request Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Provider Experience of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) Program; 2) Use Agreement (DUA) Limited Data Set (LDS) Forms Research Identifiable Files (RIF) Forms; and 3) Methods for Assuring Access to Covered Medicaid Services Under 42 CFR 447.203 and 447.204. Comments are due by November 13, 2026. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/news/38972 Mon, 14 Sep 2026 08:57:47 -0500 https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uB3IDBUyRR-5s3LBa8p4qg -- Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/events/25549 Wed, 26 Aug 2026 11:14:30 -0500 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2852519 Explores the post-surgical outcomes of Medicare beneficiaries undergoing four common inpatient general surgery operations: appendectomy, cholecystectomy, colectomy, or incisional hernia repair. Compares quality outcomes including mortality, complications, 30-day readmissions, and discharge disposition for rural and nonrural Medicare beneficiaries using Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MEDPAR) data from 2016 to 2023. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/28480 Fri, 07 Aug 2026 10:25:48 -0500 https://qpp.cms.gov/content-management/resources/document/7774a16e-a0ed-435f-b648-aa44e1da3c87/download/file Zip file download, provides resources for small practices that participate in the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) to support the transition from traditional MIPS reporting to MIPS Value Pathways (MVP) reporting. Includes an MVP Transition Guide for Small Practices and a Measure Mapping Tool. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/28472 Thu, 06 Aug 2026 10:12:04 -0500 https://qpp.cms.gov/content-management/resources/document/10c8693f-c57e-4732-ae83-07659b244978/download/file Checklist outlining the steps small practices must follow to submit Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) 2026 performance year data. Highlights key dates and links to key resources for small practices. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/28463 Wed, 05 Aug 2026 11:03:34 -0500 https://www.qualityreportingcenter.com/globalassets/2026/08/iqr/pi_cy-2026-program-guide_vfinal_508.pdf Provides an overview of the requirements of the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program for calendar year 2026. Covers information about participation requirements, measures, data submission, and helpful resources. -- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Health Services Advisory Group https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/resources/28460 Wed, 05 Aug 2026 10:13:08 -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://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://qpp.cms.gov/content-management/resources/document/3aed5776-5425-4d83-abed-23790233599e/download/file 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://qpp.cms.gov/content-management/resources/document/fb00c4e0-0f69-4c15-9c36-110f4cb1843d/download/file 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://qpp.cms.gov/content-management/resources/document/7fe01266-10ff-4095-8bf7-d9537c97d7b8/download/file 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://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://qpp.cms.gov/content-management/resources/document/e6df7e19-98ec-4758-901a-a4671a7e903e/download/file 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://qpp.cms.gov/content-management/resources/document/6051c5a1-fb0b-463c-a863-00fb769629e8/download/file 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://qpp.cms.gov/content-management/resources/document/2ddce1c3-c811-4b5e-8d02-2c68ad571d94/download/file 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://qpp.cms.gov/content-management/resources/document/2ca02388-b3ee-4231-8d1c-15a07dc3a576/download/file 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://qpp.cms.gov/content-management/resources/document/bd49cc30-3c39-44eb-9cbf-12d876c93cec/download/file 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 webpage. -- 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