Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Legislation and regulations

Jul 1, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) implementing the provision of the 21st Century Cures Act specifying that a healthcare provider determined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Inspector General to have committed information blocking shall be referred to the appropriate agency to be subject to appropriate disincentives. This rule also establishes disincentives for certain healthcare providers that have been determined to have committed information blocking. This rule is effective July 31, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 1, 2024 - Pre-publication notice of proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposing policies for assessing performance year (PY) 2023 financial performance of Medicare Shared Savings Program (Shared Savings Program) Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) in light of significant, anomalous, and highly suspect (SAHS) billing activity for selected intermittent urinary catheters on Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics & Supplies (DMEPOS) claims. Among other things, rule proposes benchmarks for ACOs starting agreement periods in 2024, 2025, and 2026; and financial calculations used in the application cycle for ACOs applying to enter a new agreement period beginning on January 1, 2025, and the change request cycle for ACOs continuing their participation in the program for PY 2025. Comments are due by July 29, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 28, 2024 - Pre-publication notice of proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making changes related to End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Prospective Payment System (PPS) for calendar year 2025 and proposing updates to the payment rate for renal dialysis services furnished by an ESRD facility to individuals with acute kidney injury (AKI). Among other things, this rule also proposes updated requirements for the Conditions for Coverage for ESRD facilities, the ESRD Quality Incentive Program, and the ESRD Treatment Choices Model. Comments are due by August 26, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 27, 2024 - The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Organ Procurement Organization Histocompatibility Laboratory Cost Report; and 2) Hospice Facility Cost Report Form. Comments are due by August 26, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 27, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making technical and typographical corrections to the May 10, 2024, final rule titled "Medicaid Program; Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services." The effective date of the Access final rule is July 9, 2024. This notice is effective July 9, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 27, 2024 - Pre-publication notice of proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updating the home health payment rates for calendar year (CY) 2025. This rule also proposes changes to the Home Health Quality Reporting Program (HH QRP) requirements; provides an update on potential approaches for integrating health equity in the Expanded Health Value-Based Purchasing (HHVBP) Model; proposes a new standard for acceptance to service policy in the home health conditions of participation (CoPs); proposes rebasing and revising the home health market basket; and proposes updates to provider and supplier enrollment requirements and changes to the long-term care reporting requirements for acute respiratory illnesses, among other things. Also includes requests for information seeking input on permitting rehabilitative therapists to conduct the initial and comprehensive assessment and the factors that may influence the patient referral and intake processes. Comments are due by August 26, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 26, 2024 - Discusses Pennsylvania legislation which will require public and private insurers to cover telehealth services. Notes the importance of telehealth for ensuring access to healthcare services in rural Pennsylvania, where 15 hospitals have closed in the last 5 years.
Source: The Center Square
Jun 26, 2024 - Provides overview of the City of Grants Pass V. Gloria Johnson case at the U.S. Supreme Court and possible implications for rural homelessness regulations. Notes that many rural Oregon counties have high per capita rates of homelessness but limited resources to support homeless populations.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Jun 25, 2024 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the extension of an information collection titled "Home Health Change of Care Notice." Comments are due by August 26, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Jun 24, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making typographical corrections to the May 10, 2024, final rule titled "Medicaid Program; Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Managed Care Access, Finance, and Quality." These corrections are effective July 9, 2024.
Source: Federal Register