Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health insurance
The Association of Hospital Characteristics With Medicaid Managed Care Hospital Prices
Examines the relationship between hospital characteristics and Medicaid facility prices for routine procedures. Utilizes 2021-2023 facility claims data from Elevance Health-affiliated Medicaid plans, alongside American Hospital Directory data, to compare prices by Critical Access Hospital (CAH) and children's hospital status, ownership (for-profit, religiously affiliated, or government), teaching status, system affiliation, rurality, and size.
Author(s): Brett Alfrey, Benjamin Ukert, Aliza S. Gordon
Citation: Health Services Research, 61(6), e70178
Date: 12/2026
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Examines the relationship between hospital characteristics and Medicaid facility prices for routine procedures. Utilizes 2021-2023 facility claims data from Elevance Health-affiliated Medicaid plans, alongside American Hospital Directory data, to compare prices by Critical Access Hospital (CAH) and children's hospital status, ownership (for-profit, religiously affiliated, or government), teaching status, system affiliation, rurality, and size.
Author(s): Brett Alfrey, Benjamin Ukert, Aliza S. Gordon
Citation: Health Services Research, 61(6), e70178
Date: 12/2026
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Molecular Testing Among Patients With Advanced Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer in the Rural US
Explores factors associated with molecular testing among older adults with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), such as age, dual Medicaid and Medicare enrollment, Part D coverage, and visits with specialists. Analyzes data from a cohort of 8,259 NSCLC patients in rural areas between 2014-2019.
Author(s): Dena P. Rhinehart, Evelien van Gelderen, Josephine Feliciano, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 9(11), e2642270
Date: 11/2026
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Explores factors associated with molecular testing among older adults with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), such as age, dual Medicaid and Medicare enrollment, Part D coverage, and visits with specialists. Analyzes data from a cohort of 8,259 NSCLC patients in rural areas between 2014-2019.
Author(s): Dena P. Rhinehart, Evelien van Gelderen, Josephine Feliciano, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 9(11), e2642270
Date: 11/2026
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Medicare Advantage Enrollment Update, 2026
Reports on the percentage of Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans by metropolitan and nonmetropolitan location and plan type, from 2016-2026. Discusses how policy changes may have influenced MA enrollment dynamics.
Author(s): Fred Ullrich, Keith Mueller
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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Reports on the percentage of Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans by metropolitan and nonmetropolitan location and plan type, from 2016-2026. Discusses how policy changes may have influenced MA enrollment dynamics.
Author(s): Fred Ullrich, Keith Mueller
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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Calendar Year (CY) 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule
Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule regarding updates and changes to the Medicare payments under the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and other Medicare Part B issues for calendar year 2027. Summarizes provisions related to remote monitoring, improving care for chronic illness and behavioral health needs, Rural Health Clinic (RHC) Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT) and Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) services, RHC and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) mental health and telecommunication visits, the Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program, and more.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule regarding updates and changes to the Medicare payments under the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and other Medicare Part B issues for calendar year 2027. Summarizes provisions related to remote monitoring, improving care for chronic illness and behavioral health needs, Rural Health Clinic (RHC) Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT) and Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) services, RHC and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) mental health and telecommunication visits, the Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program, and more.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Calendar Year 2027 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Final Rule (CMS-1850-F)
Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule regarding updates and changes to the Medicare payments for hospital outpatient and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) services for calendar year 2027. Summarizes provisions regarding changes to the inpatient only (IPO) list, Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) rate setting, updates to the Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting (OQR) and Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting (ASCQR) programs, a cost-of-living adjustment to the nonlabor share of outpatient hospital service payments provided in Alaska and Hawaii, and more.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule regarding updates and changes to the Medicare payments for hospital outpatient and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) services for calendar year 2027. Summarizes provisions regarding changes to the inpatient only (IPO) list, Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) rate setting, updates to the Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting (OQR) and Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting (ASCQR) programs, a cost-of-living adjustment to the nonlabor share of outpatient hospital service payments provided in Alaska and Hawaii, and more.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Calendar Year (CY) 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule (CMS-1848-F) — Medicare Shared Savings Program
Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule regarding updates and changes to the Medicare Shared Savings Program for calendar year 2027. Covers modifications to the Shared Savings Program financial methodology, quality measurement and reporting, advance investment payments to encourage rural participation in Accountable Care Organizations, and more.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule regarding updates and changes to the Medicare Shared Savings Program for calendar year 2027. Covers modifications to the Shared Savings Program financial methodology, quality measurement and reporting, advance investment payments to encourage rural participation in Accountable Care Organizations, and more.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Updates to Critical Access Hospital Rural and Distance Evaluations
Outlines changes to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) State Operations Manual regarding Critical Access Hospital (CAH) distance and rural evaluation requirements. Includes guidance on Necessary Provider status, the evaluation of CAH location and distance requirements for existing CAHs when there is a newly certified acute care hospital, and the decennial evaluation of rural and distance status beginning in calendar year 2033.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Outlines changes to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) State Operations Manual regarding Critical Access Hospital (CAH) distance and rural evaluation requirements. Includes guidance on Necessary Provider status, the evaluation of CAH location and distance requirements for existing CAHs when there is a newly certified acute care hospital, and the decennial evaluation of rural and distance status beginning in calendar year 2033.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Calendar Year (CY) 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Final Rule: Quality Payment Program (QPP) Fact Sheet and Policy Comparison Table
Provides an overview of the 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) final rule, focusing on policy changes impacting the Quality Payment Program (QPP). Describes quality measures that are new, revised, and removed for the 2027 performance period. Compares previous policies with the newly finalized policies by policy area.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Provides an overview of the 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) final rule, focusing on policy changes impacting the Quality Payment Program (QPP). Describes quality measures that are new, revised, and removed for the 2027 performance period. Compares previous policies with the newly finalized policies by policy area.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Differential Effects of Social Determinants on Cancer Survival by Age at Diagnosis: A Population-Based Study in Alabama
Examines whether the impact of social determinants of health (SDOH) on cancer survival differs by age at diagnosis. Utilizes 2010-2019 Alabama Statewide Cancer Registry data on adults diagnosed with breast, prostate, colorectal, or lung cancers and analyzes survival rate alongside social vulnerability, rurality, and insurance status.
Author(s): Mackenzie E. Fowler, Geetanjali Saini, Elizabeth Baker, Mahak Bhargava, Ritu Aneja
Citation: Journal of Geriatric Oncology, 17(8), 103094
Date: 11/2026
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Examines whether the impact of social determinants of health (SDOH) on cancer survival differs by age at diagnosis. Utilizes 2010-2019 Alabama Statewide Cancer Registry data on adults diagnosed with breast, prostate, colorectal, or lung cancers and analyzes survival rate alongside social vulnerability, rurality, and insurance status.
Author(s): Mackenzie E. Fowler, Geetanjali Saini, Elizabeth Baker, Mahak Bhargava, Ritu Aneja
Citation: Journal of Geriatric Oncology, 17(8), 103094
Date: 11/2026
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Medicare Advantage Plan Availability Varies Widely by County for 2027
Describes the availability of Medicare Advantage prescription drug (MA-PD) plans in 2027. Presents data on MA-PD plan availability by county in 2026 and 2027, as well as the number of counties 10 MA insurers have entered and exited between 2026 and 2027.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Describes the availability of Medicare Advantage prescription drug (MA-PD) plans in 2027. Presents data on MA-PD plan availability by county in 2026 and 2027, as well as the number of counties 10 MA insurers have entered and exited between 2026 and 2027.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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