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Rural Healthcare Quality – News

News stories from the past 60 days.

Dec 9, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) addressing: 1) changes to the Physician Fee Schedule and Medicare Part B payment policies; 2) policies for the Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate program under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022; 3) updates to the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program expanded model; 4) payment for dental services inextricably linked to specific covered medical services; 5) updates to drugs and biological products paid under Part B including immunosuppressive drugs and clotting factors; 6) Medicare Shared Savings Program requirements; 7) updates to the Quality Payment Program; 8) Medicare coverage of opioid use disorder services furnished by opioid treatment programs; 9) updates to policies for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs); 10) electronic prescribing for controlled substances for a covered Part D drug under a prescription drug plan or an MA-PD plan; 11) updates to the Ambulance Fee Schedule regulations; 12) updates to Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule regulations; 13) updates to the diabetes payment structure and COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) flexibilities; 14) expansion of colorectal cancer screening and Hepatitis B vaccine coverage and payment; 15) establishing payment for drugs covered as additional preventive services; and 16) Medicare Parts A and B Overpayment Provisions of the Affordable Care Act and Medicare Parts C and D Overpayment Provisions of the Affordable Care Act. These regulations are effective January 1, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 29, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will hold a public meeting of the Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (PACCARB) on January 28 and 29, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Eastern. The PACCARB advises and provides information and recommendations to the Secretary of HHS regarding programs and policies intended to reduce or combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria that may present a public health threat. The confirmed times and agenda will be published on the PACCARB website. The main focus of the meeting is to solicit feedback from invited presenters and members of the public on the 2025-2020 National Action Plan on Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria. Pre-registration is required for members of the public who wish to present comments during the meeting.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 27, 2024 - Notice of final rule with comment period from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) revising the Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Medicare Ambulatory Surgical Center (ACS) payment system for calendar year 2025. This rule also updates the requirements for the Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting (OQR) Program, Rural Emergency Hospital Quality Reporting (REHQR) Program, Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting (ASCQR) Program, and Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting Program and finalizes updates to the Conditions of Participation (CoPs) for hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) for obstetrical services. Among other things, this rule summarizes comments received in response to an information request on potential modifications to the Safety of Care measure group in the Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating methodology. This rule also finalizes exceptions to the Medicaid clinic services benefit four walls requirement for Indian Health Service and Tribal clinics, and, at state option, for behavioral health clinics and clinics located in rural areas. The provisions of this rule are effective January 1, 2025. Comments are due by December 31, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 6, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) Assumption of Responsibilities and Supporting Regulations; and 2) CMS Plan Benefit Package (PBP) and Formulary CY 2026. Comments are due by January 6, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 31, 2024 - Notice from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) announcing a virtual meeting to discuss the implementation of an Executive Order to establish an Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Healthcare Safety Program on November 15, 2024. Agenda topics will include recent AI-related analyses from the Network of Patient Safety Databases (NPSD), available program resources, and speakers from the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology and the Coalition for Health AI. Active participation and discussion by meeting participants is encouraged. Interested persons send an email to SDMeetings@infinityconferences.com for registration information.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 25, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making technical corrections to the February 8, 2024, final rule. This correcting amendment is effective October 25, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 17, 2024 - The National Advisory Council (NAC) for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) will hold a public meeting on November 20, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Eastern. Among other things, agenda items include an update by the AHRQ director, an update on AHRQ's Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Trust Fund (PCORTF) Healthcare Extension Service, an update on the Subcommittee of the National Advisory Council (SNAC) on National Action Alliance to Advance Patient Safety, and a discussion about the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and System (CAHPS) and opportunities for modernizing the measurement of consumer experience. Information on how to access the meeting and other updates will be posted on the NAC website.
Source: Federal Register
Last Updated: 11/29/2024