Rural Health
News by Topic: Service delivery models
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.
Source: SmartBrief
VA: Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Survey of Veteran Enrollees' Health and Use of Health Care
Federal Register
Dec 17, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA) seeking comments on the revision of an information collection titled "Survey of Veteran Enrollees' Health and Use of Health Care." Information collected is used to gain insights into factors influencing healthcare choices, enrollees' perceived health status and need for assistance, available insurance, self-reported utilization of VA services versus other healthcare services, barriers to seeking care, ability and comfort level with accessing virtual care, and more. Comments are due by January 16, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 16, 2024 - Highlights the way telehealth can improve access to healthcare for rural residents, discussing access to specialty care, services for children, economic barriers, services for women, travel difficulties for working adults and older adults, and equity.
Source: Tech Times
Dec 16, 2024 - Highlights a hospital in rural South Carolina using telehealth and new technology to offer specialized care to local residents after 2 nearby hospitals closed.
Source: SCETV
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.
Source: Northwest News Network
Dec 13, 2024 - Highlights a free mobile clinic in rural Arizona making routine healthcare more accessible to farmworkers in the area. Discusses effective outreach methods including collaborations with the farm supervisors and using promotoras.
Source: Arizona Luminaria
Dec 12, 2024 - Describes the impacts of a shortage of maternal healthcare in Nebraska as described to the Nebraska Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee. Discusses effective policies and programs for workforce recruitment and retention and better healthcare access including student loan repayment programs, adjusted reimbursement rates, and remote surgeries.
Source: KETV
Dec 12, 2024 - Discusses the use of virtual healthcare by a rural, South Dakota-based healthcare system to address rural health issues including workforce shortages and easier access to healthcare. Highlights the facility that the system uses to test innovative methods of care.
Source: Health Leaders Media
Dec 9, 2024 - Provides overview of resources available through the Rural Mental Health Resources Hub, created by Mental Health America (MHA). Describes resources including a free mental health screening, educational overviews, and information for communities looking to better serve residents with mental health conditions. Discusses rural disparities in access to mental health treatment and efforts by MHA's South Carolina chapter to expand access through a mobile mental health clinic program.
Source: The Daily Yonder
CMS: Medicare Program; Alternative Payment Model Updates and the Increasing Organ Transplant Access (IOTA) Model
Federal Register
Dec 4, 2024 - Notice of a final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) describing a new mandatory Medicare payment model, the Increasing Organ Transplant Access Model (IOTA Model). The IOTA Model would test whether performance-based upside risk payments or downside risk payments paid to or owed by participating kidney transplant hospitals increase access to kidney transplants for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) while preserving or enhancing the quality of care and reducing Medicare expenditures. This proposed rule also describes standard provisions for the Radiation Oncology Model, the End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Treatment Choices Model, and mandatory Innovation Center models, including the IOTA Model, whose first performance period begins on or after January 1, 2025. Includes comments regarding rural-specific concerns. This rule is effective January 3, 2025.
Source: Federal Register