Rural Health
Resources by State: Pennsylvania
Making Community Health Workers (CHWs) Fundamental: New Research Strengthens the Case for State Policymakers to Include CHWs in Care Delivery Teams
Summarizes key findings from previous Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) funded studies in 9 states on Community Health Workers (CHWs) interventions and their effect on diverse ethnic, racial, socioeconomic and geographic backgrounds, including rural. Offers evidence-based recommendations to help state policymakers integrate CHWs into healthcare delivery teams to improve health outcomes and reduce the cost of healthcare for individuals and populations.
Author(s): Denisse Sanchez, Sinsi Hernández-Cancio, Eliot Fishman
Date: 12/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
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Summarizes key findings from previous Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) funded studies in 9 states on Community Health Workers (CHWs) interventions and their effect on diverse ethnic, racial, socioeconomic and geographic backgrounds, including rural. Offers evidence-based recommendations to help state policymakers integrate CHWs into healthcare delivery teams to improve health outcomes and reduce the cost of healthcare for individuals and populations.
Author(s): Denisse Sanchez, Sinsi Hernández-Cancio, Eliot Fishman
Date: 12/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
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Evaluation of the Initiative to Reduce Avoidable Hospitalizations among Nursing Facility Residents-Payment Reform
Third annual report evaluating a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) Innovation payment model intended to reduce avoidable hospitalizations for long-term care nursing facility residents by offering incentives for the provision of in-house care to eligible residents, rather than a transfer to a hospital for treatment. Presents details on the effect of the payment model on Medicare expenditures in the participating states: Alabama, Missouri, Indiana, Nevada, New York, and Pennsylvania. Discusses the implication of the payment model in rural facilities.
Date: 12/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Third annual report evaluating a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) Innovation payment model intended to reduce avoidable hospitalizations for long-term care nursing facility residents by offering incentives for the provision of in-house care to eligible residents, rather than a transfer to a hospital for treatment. Presents details on the effect of the payment model on Medicare expenditures in the participating states: Alabama, Missouri, Indiana, Nevada, New York, and Pennsylvania. Discusses the implication of the payment model in rural facilities.
Date: 12/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Oral Health Status of Low-Income Children in Pennsylvania: A Rural-Urban Comparison
Describes research examining the oral health component of the Medical Assistance (MA) program for Pennsylvania children, additional oral health programs and services, the supply and distribution of Pennsylvania dentists, and the overall oral healthcare delivery system for low-income children in rural Pennsylvania. Features statistics including the number of general dentists and specialists who were active MA providers as of 2017, with breakdowns by urban or rural location, and a county-level map showing low-income Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas by rural status as of 2018.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Author(s): Lisa Davis, Kelly Braun, Myron R. Schwartz
Date: 11/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Describes research examining the oral health component of the Medical Assistance (MA) program for Pennsylvania children, additional oral health programs and services, the supply and distribution of Pennsylvania dentists, and the overall oral healthcare delivery system for low-income children in rural Pennsylvania. Features statistics including the number of general dentists and specialists who were active MA providers as of 2017, with breakdowns by urban or rural location, and a county-level map showing low-income Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas by rural status as of 2018.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Author(s): Lisa Davis, Kelly Braun, Myron R. Schwartz
Date: 11/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Pennsylvania
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Beyond the Numbers: Access to Reproductive Health Care for Low-Income Women in Five Communities
Highlights the key findings, major themes, and the extent of the challenges faced by low-income women in accessing reproductive and sexual healthcare in urban and rural areas. Identifies promising practices developed by providers to address barriers to care and improve access to healthcare.
Author(s): Usha Ranji, Michelle Long, Alina Salganicoff, et al.
Date: 11/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Health Management Associates, KFF
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Highlights the key findings, major themes, and the extent of the challenges faced by low-income women in accessing reproductive and sexual healthcare in urban and rural areas. Identifies promising practices developed by providers to address barriers to care and improve access to healthcare.
Author(s): Usha Ranji, Michelle Long, Alina Salganicoff, et al.
Date: 11/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Health Management Associates, KFF
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Telelactation via Mobile App: Perspectives of Rural Mothers, Their Care Providers, and Lactation Consultants
Analyzes the efficacy of direct-to-consumer (DTC) telelactation services in rural Pennsylvania in areas that lack in-person availability of international board-certified lactation consultants (IBCLCs). Discusses potential challenges such as lack of personal relationships, preference for local resources, and limited WiFi in rural areas. Reflects on potential benefits including access to support and increased maternal breastfeeding confidence.
Author(s): Jill Demirci, Virginia Kotzias, Debra L. Bogen, Kristin N. Ray, Lori Uscher-Pines
Citation: Telemedicine Journal and E-Health, 25(9), 853-858
Date: 09/2019
Type: Document
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Analyzes the efficacy of direct-to-consumer (DTC) telelactation services in rural Pennsylvania in areas that lack in-person availability of international board-certified lactation consultants (IBCLCs). Discusses potential challenges such as lack of personal relationships, preference for local resources, and limited WiFi in rural areas. Reflects on potential benefits including access to support and increased maternal breastfeeding confidence.
Author(s): Jill Demirci, Virginia Kotzias, Debra L. Bogen, Kristin N. Ray, Lori Uscher-Pines
Citation: Telemedicine Journal and E-Health, 25(9), 853-858
Date: 09/2019
Type: Document
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The Use of and Experiences With Telelactation Among Rural Breastfeeding Mothers: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Study exploring a telehealth video-based lactation service offered to rural Pennsylvania mothers through a Critical Access Hospital. Discusses data on study participation, number of telelactation video calls per participant, nature of the participants' concerns or questions, breastfeeding experience, and infant age. Describes challenges of providing lactation support in rural areas and presents telelactation services as a potential solution.
Author(s): Kandice Kapinos, Virginia Kotzias, Debra Bogen, et al.
Citation: Journal of Medical Internet Research, 21(9), e13967
Date: 09/2019
Type: Document
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Study exploring a telehealth video-based lactation service offered to rural Pennsylvania mothers through a Critical Access Hospital. Discusses data on study participation, number of telelactation video calls per participant, nature of the participants' concerns or questions, breastfeeding experience, and infant age. Describes challenges of providing lactation support in rural areas and presents telelactation services as a potential solution.
Author(s): Kandice Kapinos, Virginia Kotzias, Debra Bogen, et al.
Citation: Journal of Medical Internet Research, 21(9), e13967
Date: 09/2019
Type: Document
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Looking Through a Different Lens: Patient Satisfaction With Telemedicine in Delivering Pediatric Fracture Care
Looks at patient satisfaction with telemedicine for pediatric fracture care based on a study conducted in rural central Pennsylvania. Compares satisfaction levels for real-time video consultation with a pediatric orthopedic surgeon facilitated by a physician's assistant to conventional outpatient clinic visits.
Author(s): Neha Sinha, Max Cornell, Benjamin Wheatley, et al.
Citation: JAAOS Global Research & Reviews, 3(9), e100
Date: 09/2019
Type: Document
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Looks at patient satisfaction with telemedicine for pediatric fracture care based on a study conducted in rural central Pennsylvania. Compares satisfaction levels for real-time video consultation with a pediatric orthopedic surgeon facilitated by a physician's assistant to conventional outpatient clinic visits.
Author(s): Neha Sinha, Max Cornell, Benjamin Wheatley, et al.
Citation: JAAOS Global Research & Reviews, 3(9), e100
Date: 09/2019
Type: Document
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Use of Apprenticeship to Meet Demand for Medical Assistants in the U.S.
Reports findings from a study of registered medical assistant (MA) apprenticeship programs in 12 states. Discusses the workforce needs these programs may help address, including workforce needs in rural communities. Describes the programs and discusses challenges with starting and maintaining MA apprenticeship programs.
Additional links: Policy Brief
Author(s): Andrew D. Jopson, Susan M. Skillman, Bianca K. Frogner
Date: 09/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: UW Center for Health Workforce Studies
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Reports findings from a study of registered medical assistant (MA) apprenticeship programs in 12 states. Discusses the workforce needs these programs may help address, including workforce needs in rural communities. Describes the programs and discusses challenges with starting and maintaining MA apprenticeship programs.
Additional links: Policy Brief
Author(s): Andrew D. Jopson, Susan M. Skillman, Bianca K. Frogner
Date: 09/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: UW Center for Health Workforce Studies
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Serving Rural America: Health Insurance Providers at Work
Offers 5 case studies to showcase the ways in which health insurance providers are working to ensure access to high quality healthcare in rural areas. Examples feature 8 insurance providers in Maryland, Pennsylvania, California, and Oregon sharing different approaches to healthcare delivery, financing, and community engagement.
Date: 09/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: AHIP
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Offers 5 case studies to showcase the ways in which health insurance providers are working to ensure access to high quality healthcare in rural areas. Examples feature 8 insurance providers in Maryland, Pennsylvania, California, and Oregon sharing different approaches to healthcare delivery, financing, and community engagement.
Date: 09/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: AHIP
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Medicaid: Efforts to Identify, Predict, or Manage High-Expenditure Beneficiaries
Describes strategies used in 7 states to manage beneficiaries' healthcare costs while ensuring quality care, and lists resources the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services provides to help states identify, predict, and manage high-expenditure beneficiaries. Discusses effects of social determinants of health and staff shortages in rural areas. Includes statistics for Medicaid expenditures among beneficiaries enrolled only in Medicaid, for fiscal years 2009-2011.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 08/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Describes strategies used in 7 states to manage beneficiaries' healthcare costs while ensuring quality care, and lists resources the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services provides to help states identify, predict, and manage high-expenditure beneficiaries. Discusses effects of social determinants of health and staff shortages in rural areas. Includes statistics for Medicaid expenditures among beneficiaries enrolled only in Medicaid, for fiscal years 2009-2011.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 08/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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