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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Healthcare business and finance

Nov 7, 2024 - Quarterly listing of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) manual instructions, substantive and interpretive regulations, and Federal Register notices published from July through September 2024, including contact information for general questions or additional information about specific sections.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 7, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updating the home health payment rates for calendar year (CY) 2025. This rule also finalizes changes to the Home Health Quality Reporting Program (HH QRP) requirements and provides an update on potential approaches for integrating health equity in the Expanded Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) Model. Among other things, this rule also finalizes a new standard for acceptance to service policy in the home health conditions of participation (CoPs) and provides updates to provider and supplier enrollment requirements and changes to the long-term care reporting requirements for acute respiratory illnesses, among other things. These regulations are effective January 1, 2025.
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
Nov 4, 2024 - Highlights the growth of community health worker (CHW) programs across the country. Notes that CHW programs in rural areas can help connect low-income and minority communities to health systems and navigate common barriers to care. Describes the impacts of a CHW program in Huron, South Dakota, which was created through a federal grant program and is now funded by Medicaid reimbursements.
Source: South Dakota Searchlight, KFF Health News
Nov 4, 2024 - Discusses telehealth and remote monitoring tool solutions for improving rural healthcare access. Highlights the role the COVID-19 pandemic played in increasing telehealth adoption and access barriers that remain in spite of wider telehealth adoption. Discusses workforce shortages, broadband challenges, and reimbursement for telehealth.
Source: TechTarget
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
Oct 30, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Census Bureau allowing an additional 30 days for comments on Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC). Information collected by ASEC includes work experience, personal income, noncash benefits, current and previous year health insurance coverage, employer-sponsored insurance take-up, migration, and more. Comments are due within 30 days of this notice.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 30, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Section 1115 Demonstration Projects Regulations at 42 CFR 431.408, 431.412, 431.420, 431.424, and 431.428; 2) Reporting Requirements and Corrective Action Plans Under section 1902(tt) of the Social Security Act; 3) Application for Enrollment in Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance); 4) Application for Medicare Part A and Part B Special Enrollment Period (Exceptional Circumstances); and 5) Request for Enrollment in Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI). Comments are due by December 30, 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
Oct 30, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) seeking comments on forms and a review and appeal process used to administer the Civilian Health And Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA). Comments are due by November 29, 2024.
Source: Federal Register