Rural Health
News by Topic: Hospitals
CMS: Medicare Program; CY 2025 Inpatient Hospital Deductible and Hospital and Extended Care Services Coinsurance Amounts
Federal Register
Nov 14, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announcing the inpatient hospital deductible and coinsurance amounts for hospital and extended care services provided during calendar year 2025 under Medicare's Hospital Insurance Program (Medicare Part A). These rates are effective on January 1, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 14, 2024 - Highlights an initiative to increase vaccination for influenza among Kansas farmworkers. Discusses the increased risk of co-infection with H5N1 bird flu and seasonal influenza as well as the strain seasonal illnesses can place on low-staffed rural hospitals.
Source: KCUR, NPR
Nov 4, 2024 - A rural Georgia hospital experienced a ransomware attack, taking offline its electronic health records and IT systems. Discusses the disruption to patient care when a rural hospital is attacked and recent initiatives by the federal government and private sector to improve rural hospital cybersecurity.
Source: GovInfoSecurity
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 25, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making technical corrections to the February 8, 2024, final rule. This correcting amendment is effective October 25, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 22, 2024 - Describes the challenges for rural Missouri hospitals in offering healthcare. Discusses common financial issues, rural facility closures over the past decade, and the value in access to emergency care for rural residents.
Source: KFVS 12