Rural Health
News by Topic: Healthcare quality
Aug 31, 2026 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid have recalculated the fiscal year 2027 hospice wage index values for all CBSAs and rural areas. A correction notice with updated rates will be posted on the FY 2027 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements webpage.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Aug 27, 2026 - Appeals regarding endorsed and not endorsed Spring 2026 quality measures may be submitted to the Partnership for Quality Measurement. The deadline to submit an appeal is September 16, 2026.
Source: Partnership for Quality Measurement
Aug 26, 2026 - Highlights the agenda for MedPAC meetings in 2026-2027. Topics to be discussed include Medicare Part D spending, the enrollment process, quality measurement and value-based payment programs, cost-sharing liability for Rural Health Clinics, the impact of converting a hospital to Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) status, reimbursement rates including for REHs, and Medicare Advantage (MA). Offers recommendations for engaging with the group and information on scheduled publications.
Source: MedPAC News
Aug 13, 2026 - Advisory notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services to alert certain clinicians who are Qualifying APM
participants (QPs) and have earned an Alternative Payment
Model (APM) Incentive Payment that CMS does not have the
current information needed to disburse the payment.
Provides information to QPs on how to update their Medicare
billing information so that CMS can disburse payments. All
information should be sent to CMS by October 13, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Aug 12, 2026 - Offers recommendations and highlights rural assets for maternal healthcare, based on insights from leaders of 3 rural Iowa hospitals. Discusses upskilling and training the workforce, adapting guidelines, driving change, provider-patient relationships, and professional networking.
Source: Institute for Healthcare Improvement