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Rural Health
News by Topic: Healthcare quality

Dec 20, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making technical corrections to the November 7, 2024, final rule. This correction is effective January 1, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 19, 2024 - The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is seeking scientific information submissions to inform its review on Impact of Healthcare Worker Safety and Wellness: A Systematic Review. Includes background information and key questions related to the review. The full research protocol is available for review on the AHRQ website. Submissions are due by January 21, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 16, 2024 - The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is seeking nominations to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Specific areas of expertise being sought include public health, health equity and the reduction of health disparities, application of science to health policy, decision modeling, dissemination and implementation, behavioral medicine and clinical health psychology, and communication of scientific findings to diverse audiences. Nominations of individuals with training and expertise in family medicine, pediatrics, behavioral medicine, and obstetrics and gynecology will receive the strongest consideration. Nominations are due by March 15th of a given year to be considered for appointment to begin in January of the following year.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 9, 2024 - 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 16) 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
Dec 6, 2024 - Highlights a partnership between the American Heart Association (AHA) and the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) to address cardiovascular health to reduce rural health disparities. The Get With The Guidelines program focuses on quality improvement for rural hospitals, offering free clinical consultants, evidence-based education, access to AHA resources, and peer collaboration for up to 700 hospitals.
Source: National Rural Health Association
Nov 29, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the availability of non-binding compliance program guidance for the healthcare industry generally and specific guidance for skilled nursing facilities and other nursing facilities.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 29, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will hold a public meeting of the Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (PACCARB) on January 28 and 29, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Eastern. The PACCARB advises and provides information and recommendations to the Secretary of HHS regarding programs and policies intended to reduce or combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria that may present a public health threat. The confirmed times and agenda will be published on the PACCARB website. The main focus of the meeting is to solicit feedback from invited presenters and members of the public on the 2025-2020 National Action Plan on Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria. Pre-registration is required for members of the public who wish to present comments during the meeting.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 27, 2024 - 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
Nov 25, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on revisions to an information collection titled "Minimum Data Set 3.0 Nursing Home and Swing Bed Prospective Payment System (PPS) for the collection of data related to the Patient-Driven Payment Model and the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (QRP)." Revisions include four new items as standardized patient assessment data elements, one modified item collected as a standardized patient assessment data element, and twenty-two removed items that are not needed for case-mix adjusting the SNF per diem payment for PDPM. Comments are due by January 24, 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