Rural Health
News by Topic: Reimbursement and payment models

Public Inspection: CMS: Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems; Quality Reporting Programs; Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting Program; Health and Safety Standards for Obstetrical Services in Hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals; Medicaid and Child Health Insurance Program Continuous Eligibility; Medicaid Clinic Services Four Walls Exceptions; Individuals Currently or Formerly in Custody of Penal Authorities; Medicare Special Enrollment Period for Formerly Incarcerated Individuals; All-Inclusive Rate Add-On Payment for High-Cost Drugs Provided by Indian Health Service and Tribal Facilities; Correcting Amendment Federal Register

Jan 8, 2025 - Pre-publication notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making technical and typographic corrections to the November 27, 2024, final rule. This correcting amendment is effective January 8, 2025, and is applicable beginning January 1, 2025.

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VA: Exempting Whole Health Well-Being Services From Copayment Federal Register

Jan 3, 2025 - Notice of proposed rule from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposing changes to its medical regulations to exempt Whole Health well-being services from the copayment requirements for inpatient hospital care and outpatient medical care. Comments are due by March 4, 2025.

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Another Birthing Center Closes, WY Maternal Health Struggles Continue

Dec 26, 2024 - Highlights the discontinuation of labor and delivery services in some rural Wyoming communities due to low demand. Discusses efforts to increase reimbursement rates for Medicaid births to help stabilize rural labor and delivery services. Notes the potential impacts of lower birth rates on the quality of care.

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CMS: Medicare Program; Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program: Solicitation of Additional Participants Federal Register

Dec 26, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeking applications for 10 additional eligible hospitals to participate in the Rural Community Hospital demonstration program through June 30, 2028. The Rural Community Hospital demonstration program pays rural community hospitals for covered inpatient services under a cost-based methodology for Medicare payment for Medicare beneficiaries. Applications are due by March 1, 2025.

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CMS: Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request Federal Register

Dec 23, 2024 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the following information collections: 1) End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Conditions for Coverage and Supporting Regulations; and 2) Expanding Access to Women's Health Grant. Comments are due by February 21, 2025.

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CMS: Medicare Program; Calendar Year (CY) 2025 Home Health Prospective Payment System (HH PPS) Rate Update; HH Quality Reporting Program Requirements; HH Value-Based Purchasing Expanded Model Requirements; Home Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG) Items and Services Rate Update; and Other Medicare Policies; Correction Federal Register

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.

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Gaps in Mental Health Training, Rural Access to Care Compound Az's Maternal Mortality Crisis

Dec 19, 2024 - Reports on trends in maternal health and mortality in Arizona and drivers of poor outcomes such as limited mental health training for providers, mental health workforce shortages, and stigma. Discusses rural-specific challenges in accessing care like transportation, labor and delivery service access, broadband, and low provider reimbursement rates for care.

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Tele-ICU Programs Benefit Patients and Hospitals in Rural Miss.

Dec 18, 2024 - Describes a telehealth program for critically ill patients implemented in 2 hospitals in rural Mississippi. Notes that 53 of Mississippi's 82 counties are more than 40 minutes away from specialty care. Discusses challenges with implementation, the increase in revenue for the 2 facilities, and planned use of AI for patient care and financial analysis.

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IHS: Reimbursement Rates for Calendar Year 2025 Federal Register

Dec 16, 2024 - Notice from the Indian Health Service (IHS) announcing the calendar year 2025 reimbursement rates for inpatient and outpatient medical care provided by IHS facilities to Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal program beneficiaries. The updated rates apply to all qualifying services provided on or after January 1, 2025.

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'It's a Crisis': How the Shortage of Mental Health Counselors Is Affecting the Rural Northwest

Dec 15, 2024 - Explores the impacts of behavioral health provider shortages on rural communities in the northwest. Notes that immigrants may face additional challenges finding care due to language barriers and some providers not accepting Medicaid. Describes strategies to increase access to behavioral health providers, including telehealth, increased reimbursement for services, and workforce programs.

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