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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Legislation and regulations

Nov 8, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) Reform of Long-Term Care Facilities Requirements for Respiratory Illness Reporting; 2) Applications for Part C Medicare Advantage, 1876 Cost Plans, and Employer Group Waiver Plans to Provide Part C Benefits; and 3) the PACE Organization Application Process in 42 CFR part 460. Comments are due by December 9, 2024.
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 6, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) seeking comments on the extension of an information collection titled "HHS 42 CFR subpart B; Sterilization of Persons in Federally Assisted Family Planning Projects." This consent form solicits information to assure voluntary and informed consent to persons undergoing sterilization in health services programs supported by federal financial assistance administered by the United States Public Health Service (PHS). Comments are due by January 6, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Nov 5, 2024 - Notice of proposed rule from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Service (RHS) proposing amending the current regulation for the Multifamily Housing (MFH) Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program (GRRHP) to codify language within the GRRHP regulation to clarify that a separate deed restriction must be recorded. Comments are due by January 6, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
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 31, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) making access and parity improvements in USDA's food distribution programs to support access for eligible populations and streamline requirements for program operators. Among other things, changes are aimed at increasing access to food distribution programs so eligible individuals can more easily receive the nutrition resources they need, increasing parity between FDPIR and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), modernizing program operations by updating some outdated terminology and processes, and incorporating lessons learned from implementing these critical programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. This rule is effective December 30, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 31, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) making corrections to the August 21, 2024, final rule. These corrections are effective October 31, 2024.
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 28, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking comments on a new information collection request titled "Medicare Transaction Facilitator for 2026 and 2027 under Sections 11001 and 11002 of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Information Collection Request." CMS will collect information from manufacturers of Medicare Part D drugs selected for negotiation under the Inflation Reduction Act for the initial price applicability years 2026 and 2027 and the dispensing entities that dispense the selected drugs to maximum fair price (MPF)-eligible individuals. CMS will also use a Medicare Transaction Facilitator (MTF) to facilitate the effectuation of MPFs. Comments are due by December 27, 2024.
Source: Federal Register