Rural Health
News by Topic: Reimbursement and payment models
Nov 5, 2025 - Notice of a final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) addressing: 1) changes to the Physician Fee Schedule and Medicare Part B payment policies; 2) policies for the Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022; 3) the Ambulatory Specialty Model; 4) updates to the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program expanded model; 5) updates to drugs and biological products paid under Part B; 6) Medicare Shared Savings Program requirements; 7) updates to the Quality Payment Program; 8) updates to policies for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs); 9) updates to the Ambulance Fee Schedule regulations; 10) codification of the Inflation Reduction Act and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 provisions; and 11) updates to the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program. These regulations are effective January 1, 2026.
Source: Federal Register
Oct 31, 2025 - Describes challenges with offering labor and delivery services in rural Texas, discussing reimbursement, workforce shortages, and distance to care.
Source: The Optimist
Oct 26, 2025 - Discusses the impact of the expansion of Medicaid dental benefits on the oral health of Missouri residents. Notes that areas with dental workforce shortages are less likely to feel the positive impact of increases in reimbursement rates.
Source: Kansas City Magazine
Oct 8, 2025 - Louisiana has increased Medicaid reimbursement rates in an attempt to increase the number of physicians that will accept Medicaid patients. Discusses the impact on rural Louisiana where Medicaid use is higher.
Oct 6, 2025 - Discusses the benefits and downsides for hospitals considering converting to a Rural Emergency Hospital, highlighting the choices made by rural hospitals around Arkansas. Discusses reimbursement rates, labor and delivery service access, and general healthcare access.
Source: Arkansas Advocate
Sep 12, 2025 - Notice from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) seeking comments on a proposed information collection request related to the 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program. The information collected will include the collection of 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program plans from drug manufacturers, the collection of sales data from drug manufacturers for OPA's evaluation of the pilot program and for overall 340B Program surveillance, and the collection of data submitted by covered entities to manufacturers to request a rebate. Comments are due by November 12, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 12, 2025 - Highlights 2 doctors in New Mexico who are leaving their small community as part of a larger national trend of declining access to physicians in rural areas. Discusses common challenges including reimbursement and other financial concerns. Notes policy measures proposed by governors in New Mexico and other western states to address healthcare workforce shortages.
Source: KUNC
CMS: Medicare Program; Town Hall Meeting on the Fiscal Year 2027 Applications for New Technology Add-On Payments
Federal Register
Sep 10, 2025 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services
(CMS) announcing a virtual town hall meeting to be held on
December 10-11, 2025, to discuss FY 2027 applications for
add-on payments for new medical services and technologies
under the Medicare Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment
System (IPPS). Information on how to join the meeting will
be posted on the
New Technology website. The deadline to register to
present at the meeting is November 3, 2025. Written
comments and agenda items for discussion at the meeting are
due by November 13, 2025.
Source: Federal Register