Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare business and finance
Prepublication Requirements: Revisions to Rural Health Clinic Requirements to Align with CMS CfCs
Outlines revisions to Joint Commission standards and Elements of Performance (EPs) for Rural Health Clinics. Changes reflect regulatory updates that were effective January 1, 2025, regarding the provision of primary care services and basic laboratory services requirements.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Joint Commission
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Outlines revisions to Joint Commission standards and Elements of Performance (EPs) for Rural Health Clinics. Changes reflect regulatory updates that were effective January 1, 2025, regarding the provision of primary care services and basic laboratory services requirements.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Joint Commission
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FY 2026 Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) and Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System (LTCH PPS) Final Rule — CMS-1833-F
Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) fiscal year 2026 hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) and long-term care hospital prospective payment system (LTCH PPS) final rule. Includes information about the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program and the discontinuation of the low-wage index hospital policy for FY 2026 and subsequent years.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) fiscal year 2026 hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) and long-term care hospital prospective payment system (LTCH PPS) final rule. Includes information about the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program and the discontinuation of the low-wage index hospital policy for FY 2026 and subsequent years.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Financial Performance of Rural and Urban Nursing Homes: A Comparative Analysis
Presents a study comparing the financial performance between rural and urban nursing homes. Discusses the different structural barriers and facilitators that affect the operating margins in rural and urban facilities.
Author(s): Gregory N. Orewa, Rohit Pradhan, Akbar Ghiasi, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(3), e70053
Date: 07/2025
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Presents a study comparing the financial performance between rural and urban nursing homes. Discusses the different structural barriers and facilitators that affect the operating margins in rural and urban facilities.
Author(s): Gregory N. Orewa, Rohit Pradhan, Akbar Ghiasi, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(3), e70053
Date: 07/2025
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Quickstart Roadmap for a Solo Tele-Nutrition Practice
Guide outlining steps to setting up a solo tele-nutrition practice. Discusses technology selection, workflow design, and patient engagement.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Telehealth Technology Assessment Resource Center
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Guide outlining steps to setting up a solo tele-nutrition practice. Discusses technology selection, workflow design, and patient engagement.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Telehealth Technology Assessment Resource Center
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Use of Telebehavioral Health Services by Critical Access Hospitals in the United States: A Qualitative Study of the Impacts of Medicare Flexibilities and Future Opportunities
Analyzes interviews with 22 Critical Access Hospital (CAH) administrators and providers to identify how telebehavioral health is used in CAHs, the impact of Medicare billing flexibility, and opportunities and challenges for telebehavioral healthcare moving forward.
Author(s): Christopher M. Shea, Sharita Thomas, Marah Maaita, Heidi O'Connor, Yvonne Jonk
Citation: Digital Health, 11
Date: 07/2025
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Analyzes interviews with 22 Critical Access Hospital (CAH) administrators and providers to identify how telebehavioral health is used in CAHs, the impact of Medicare billing flexibility, and opportunities and challenges for telebehavioral healthcare moving forward.
Author(s): Christopher M. Shea, Sharita Thomas, Marah Maaita, Heidi O'Connor, Yvonne Jonk
Citation: Digital Health, 11
Date: 07/2025
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Partners in Progress: Pursuing Medical-Dental Integration in Ohio
Report explores dental health integration into primary care in Ohio and a way to expand oral healthcare access in the state. Discusses access issues in rural area, shortage areas, among Medicaid recipients, and details how integration can help close the gap.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: CareQuest Institute for Oral Health
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Report explores dental health integration into primary care in Ohio and a way to expand oral healthcare access in the state. Discusses access issues in rural area, shortage areas, among Medicaid recipients, and details how integration can help close the gap.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: CareQuest Institute for Oral Health
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Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS): 2025 MIPS Group Participation Guide - Traditional MIPS and MVPs
Provides an overview of traditional Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and MIPS Value Pathways (MVP) group participation options for the 2025 performance year. Discusses eligibility; special status designations; the quality, cost, and promoting interoperability performance categories; scoring and payment adjustments; and more. Includes information on group reporting requirements and considerations for small practices and clinicians in a rural or Health Professional Shortage Area.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Provides an overview of traditional Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and MIPS Value Pathways (MVP) group participation options for the 2025 performance year. Discusses eligibility; special status designations; the quality, cost, and promoting interoperability performance categories; scoring and payment adjustments; and more. Includes information on group reporting requirements and considerations for small practices and clinicians in a rural or Health Professional Shortage Area.
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Rural Hospitals and the Rural Health Transformation Program: What Comes Next
Blog post discussing the rural health transformation program established in the July 2025 budget reconciliation law. Describes potential priorities for states' use of the rural health transformation program funding. Outlines additional steps Congress could take to help rural hospitals serve their communities.
Author(s): Emma Sheffert, Maya Sandalow
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
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Blog post discussing the rural health transformation program established in the July 2025 budget reconciliation law. Describes potential priorities for states' use of the rural health transformation program funding. Outlines additional steps Congress could take to help rural hospitals serve their communities.
Author(s): Emma Sheffert, Maya Sandalow
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
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The Rapid Growth Of Medicare Advantage Poses Challenges To Rural Hospitals
Commentary describing key features of Medicare Advantage (MA) and how they may interact with the unique limitations of rural hospitals. Offers policy recommendations to align MA expansion with rural hospital sustainability.
Author(s): James D. Lee, Cody L. Mullens, Adam A. Markovitz, Janice Probst
Citation: Health Affairs Forefront
Date: 07/2025
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Commentary describing key features of Medicare Advantage (MA) and how they may interact with the unique limitations of rural hospitals. Offers policy recommendations to align MA expansion with rural hospital sustainability.
Author(s): James D. Lee, Cody L. Mullens, Adam A. Markovitz, Janice Probst
Citation: Health Affairs Forefront
Date: 07/2025
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Understanding and Navigating Commingling - RHC Edition
Recording of a July 17, 2025, webinar discussing how Rural Health Clinics can share resources and be located in the same space as other Medicare entities and remain compliant with Medicare regulations. Describes common commingling issues and best practices. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Recording of a July 17, 2025, webinar discussing how Rural Health Clinics can share resources and be located in the same space as other Medicare entities and remain compliant with Medicare regulations. Describes common commingling issues and best practices. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides
Date: 07/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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