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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Behavioral health

Nov 13, 2024 - Highlights the work of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to address healthcare access issues for rural veterans in Tennessee and southern Kentucky. Discusses initiatives to improve mental and physical healthcare access, care coordination, and telehealth.
Source: VA Tennessee Valley Health Care Stories
Nov 12, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announcing the adoption of a Third Report and Order that requires wireless providers to implement a georouting solution for calls to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to facilitate access to critical local intervention services. The Third Report and Order also revises the Commission's existing 988 voice and texting rules to permit routing to the 988 Lifeline without translation to a toll-free access number, giving wireless providers flexibility in implementing georouting solutions. This rule is effective December 12, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 7, 2024 - Discusses a new training program to address mental health workforce shortages in Vermont. The program will place mental health workers in rural schools and offer incentives for students that continue working at their placement beyond graduation.
Source: Vermont Public
Nov 5, 2024 - Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announcing the availability of the complete lists of all geographic areas, population groups, and facilities designated as primary care, mental health, and/or dental Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). HPSA designations that are currently proposed for withdrawal will remain in this status until a second notice is published in the Federal Register. Lists are available on the Health Workforce Shortage Areas website and are current as of October 15, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 4, 2024 - Discusses disparities in access to mental healthcare in rural California. Discusses workforce shortages, technology facilitators and barriers to access, and affordability.
Source: California Health Report
Nov 1, 2024 - Announcement of new policies included in the 2025 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Surgical Center final rule. Describes updated health and safety requirements for hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) to improve and expand access to quality maternal and behavioral health care. Notes policy changes including updated payment rates, staffing standards, quality assessments, training requirements, and expanded coverage for services provided outside the "four walls" of behavioral health clinics and clinics located in rural areas.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Nov 1, 2024 - Pre-publication 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 15) 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 1, 2024 - Pre-publication 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
Oct 31, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) making corrections to the August 21, 2024, final rule. These corrections are effective October 31, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 30, 2024 - Arizona's Medicaid agency is funding new on-call OB-GYN providers for rural communities. The initiative is meant to increase access to care for people in maternity care deserts. Discusses challenges with recruiting healthcare providers to rural areas and the role of mental health in mortality for pregnant and postpartum women.
Source: Cronkite News