Rural Health
News by Topic: Healthcare business and finance
CMS: 21st Century Cures Act: Establishment of Disincentives for Health Care Providers That Have Committed Information Blocking
Federal Register
Jul 1, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) implementing the provision of the 21st Century Cures Act specifying that a healthcare provider determined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Inspector General to have committed information blocking shall be referred to the appropriate agency to be subject to appropriate disincentives. This rule also establishes disincentives for certain healthcare providers that have been determined to have committed information blocking. This rule is effective July 31, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 1, 2024 - Pre-publication notice of proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposing policies for assessing performance year (PY) 2023 financial performance of Medicare Shared Savings Program (Shared Savings Program) Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) in light of significant, anomalous, and highly suspect (SAHS) billing activity for selected intermittent urinary catheters on Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics & Supplies (DMEPOS) claims. Among other things, rule proposes benchmarks for ACOs starting agreement periods in 2024, 2025, and 2026; and financial calculations used in the application cycle for ACOs applying to enter a new agreement period beginning on January 1, 2025, and the change request cycle for ACOs continuing their participation in the program for PY 2025. Comments are due by July 29, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 28, 2024 - Pre-publication notice of proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making changes related to End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Prospective Payment System (PPS) for calendar year 2025 and proposing updates to the payment rate for renal dialysis services furnished by an ESRD facility to individuals with acute kidney injury (AKI). Among other things, this rule also proposes updated requirements for the Conditions for Coverage for ESRD facilities, the ESRD Quality Incentive Program, and the ESRD Treatment Choices Model. Comments are due by August 26, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 28, 2024 - Washington Senator Maria Cantwell cosponsored legislation aiming to increase rural hospitals' reimbursements through Medicaid, in order to help keep maternity wards open in rural Washington communities. The legislation would give rural hospitals and hospitals with a high percentage of births among Medicaid patients a 150% Medicaid reimbursement rate.
Source: Northwest Public Broadcasting
CMS: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request
Federal Register
Jun 27, 2024 - The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Organ Procurement Organization Histocompatibility Laboratory Cost Report; and 2) Hospice Facility Cost Report Form. Comments are due by August 26, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 27, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making technical and typographical corrections to the May 10, 2024, final rule titled "Medicaid Program; Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services." The effective date of the Access final rule is July 9, 2024. This notice is effective July 9, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 27, 2024 - Announcement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of receipt of an application from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care for continued recognition as a national accrediting organization for Ambulatory Surgical Centers that wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs. Comments are due by July 29, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 27, 2024 - Pre-publication notice of proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updating the home health payment rates for calendar year (CY) 2025. This rule also proposes changes to the Home Health Quality Reporting Program (HH QRP) requirements; provides an update on potential approaches for integrating health equity in the Expanded Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) Model; proposes a new standard for acceptance to service policy in the home health conditions of participation (CoPs); proposes rebasing and revising the home health market basket; and proposes updates to provider and supplier enrollment requirements and changes to the long-term care reporting requirements for acute respiratory illnesses, among other things. Also includes requests for information seeking input on permitting rehabilitative therapists to conduct the initial and comprehensive assessment and the factors that may influence the patient referral and intake processes. Comments are due by August 26, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 26, 2024 - Discusses Pennsylvania legislation which will require public and private insurers to cover telehealth services. Notes the importance of telehealth for ensuring access to healthcare services in rural Pennsylvania, where 15 hospitals have closed in the last 5 years.
Source: The Center Square
Jun 26, 2024 - Highlights efforts by the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta to expand access to doula services for Black women in rural Georgia. Describes doula services including education, health system navigation, emotional support, and resource referrals. Discusses funding challenges and efforts to make doula services reimbursable by Medicaid in Georgia.
Source: WABE