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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Healthcare business and finance

Nov 13, 2024 - Notice from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) seeking comments on the extension of an information collection titled "Medical Expenditures Panel Survey—Insurance Component." The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey—Insurance Component (MEPS-IC) measures the extent, cost, and coverage of employer-sponsored health insurance on an annual basis. Comments are due by January 13, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 13, 2024 - Outlines current and projected funding challenges for Federally Qualified Health Centers. Discusses common sources of revenue, reimbursement rates, the 340B program, and policy opportunities for federal and state government. Notes that rural residents are a significant user base for Community Health Centers.
Source: The Commonwealth Fund
Nov 13, 2024 - Provides overview of recent research on rural medical debt. Notes that rural residents are more likely than urban residents to have problems paying medical bills, and identifies gender and racial disparities within rural survey respondents. Discusses the potential impacts of medical debt on the viability of rural hospitals.
Source: The Daily Yonder
VA: Telehealth Grant Program Federal Register
Nov 13, 2024 - Notice of proposed rule from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposing amending its regulations implement a new authority to establish a telehealth grant program. This new authority requires VA to enter into agreements, and expand existing agreements, for the expansion of VA telehealth capabilities and provision of telehealth services by establishing telehealth access stations in rural, highly rural, or medically underserved areas, to the extent practicable. This notice also proposes to amend the copayment regulation by exempting all telehealth services from the copayment requirement. Comments are due by January 13, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 12, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updating and revising the End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Prospective Payment System (PPS) for calendar year 2025 and updates the payment rate for renal dialysis services furnished by an ESRD facility to individuals with acute kidney injury (AKI). This rule also updates the requirements for the Conditions for Coverage for ESRD facilities, the ESRD Quality Incentive Program, and the ESRD Treatment Choices Model. These regulations are effective January 1, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 12, 2024 - Announcement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the approval of the Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP) for continued recognition as a national accrediting organization for hospices that wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs. This approval is applicable from November 20, 2024, through November 20, 2029.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 12, 2024 - Announcement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the approval of the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, dba QUAD A, for continued recognition as a national accrediting organization for Ambulatory Surgical Centers that wish to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs. This approval is applicable from November 27, 2024, through November 27, 2029.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 11, 2024 - Highlights challenges for rural Washington healthcare facilities in offering labor and delivery services. Discusses challenges with maintaining healthcare quality, maternal care deserts, financial challenges and sustainability, and the impact of labor and delivery services on community vitality.
Source: Washington State Standard
Nov 8, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Reform of Long-Term Care Facilities Requirements for Respiratory Illness Reporting; 2) Applications for Part C Medicare Advantage, 1876 Cost Plans, and Employer Group Waiver Plans to Provide Part C Benefits; and 3) the PACE Organization Application Process in 42 CFR part 460. Comments are due by December 9, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 8, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announcing the establishment of the CMS Health Equity Advisory Committee (HEAC) to advise and make recommendations to CMS on the identification and resolution of systemic barriers to accessing CMS programs that hinder the quality of care for beneficiaries and consumers. The Committee will focus on health disparities in underserved communities, which are populations sharing a particular characteristic or geography, that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life. CMS is also requesting nominations for membership on the HEAC. Nominations are due by December 12, 2024.
Source: Federal Register