Rural Hospitals – News
News stories from the past 60 days.
CMS: Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Application from DNV Healthcare USA Inc. for Continued CMS-Approval of Its Hospital Accreditation Program
Federal Register
Apr 9, 2026 - Announcement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of receipt of an application from DNV Healthcare Inc. for continued recognition as a national accrediting organization for hospitals that wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs. Comments are due by May 11, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
CMS: Medicare Program: Fiscal Year 2027 Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities Prospective Payment System -- Rate Update
Federal Register
Apr 7, 2026 - Notice of a proposed 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 proposes refinement of the IPF PPS outlier policy, implementation of a standardized IPF patient assessment, and the removal of two measures used in the IPF Quality Reporting Program. Comments are due by June 1, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 6, 2026 - Notice of a proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on updates to the prospective payment system (PPS) for inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) for fiscal year 2027. Among other things, this rule proposes classification and weighting factors for the IRF prospective payment system's case-mix groups, continues the third year of the 3-year phase-out of the rural adjustments, and includes proposals for the IRF Quality Reporting Program. CMS also seeks comments on alternative data sources for the IRF PPS wage index, potential future IRF PPS payment reform, and more. Comments are due June 1, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 24, 2026 - Announces the National Rural Health Association's (NRHA) top 20 rural and community hospitals. The winners will be recognized at NRHA's Annual Rural Health Conference in May 2026.
Source: National Rural Health Association
Feb 23, 2026 - 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.
Source: Federal Register
Chartis Announces Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals and Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals for 2026
Feb 11, 2026 - Chartis Center for Rural Health has announced results of its annual awards program, based on data from the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX. The program recognizes outstanding performance among rural hospitals.
Source: Business Wire
Feb 11, 2026 - 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.
Source: Heath Affairs
Feb 11, 2026 - 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.
Source: Office of Congresswoman Andrea Salinas