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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare business and finance

Exploring the Impact of ACA on Rural-Urban Disparity in Oral Health Services Among US Noninstitutionalized Adults
Examines the effect the ACA had on oral healthcare utilization in rural areas. Compares use of oral health services by adults from 2011-2016 in rural and urban communities.
Author(s): Wei-Chen Lee, Chih-Ying Li, Hani Serag, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 37(1), 103-113
Date: 01/2021
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Congress Establishes New Medicare Provider Category and Reimbursement for Rural Emergency Hospitals
Provides an overview of the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) provider designation established in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. Discusses provider eligibility criteria, REH requirements and permitted services, and Medicare reimbursement. Highlights key questions that need to be addressed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Author(s): Emily J. Cook, Sandra M. DiVarco, Caroline Reigart
Citation: National Law Review, XI(5)
Date: 01/2021
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Continuing on the Road to Value
Slides presented at the Indiana Rural Health Association's Annual Public Policy Forum in 2021. Discusses management methods and policy initiatives for transitioning hospitals to value-based care. Includes information on the Community Health Access and Rural Transformation (CHART) Model, Accountable Care Organization (ACO) Pathways to Success, and global budgeting.
Author(s): Keith J. Mueller
Date: 01/2021
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute
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Oklahoma Rural Hospital Closures by the Numbers
Research brief discussing rural hospital closures in Oklahoma and impacts of closures on access to care. Presents data on closures between 2005 and 2020, noting driving distance to the nearest open hospital. Addresses demographic characteristics of counties with closed hospitals and health equity impacts of closures.
Date: 01/2021
Sponsoring organization: Oklahoma State University Center for Rural Health
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Characteristics and Challenges of Rural Ambulance Agencies - A Brief Review and Policy Considerations
Examines challenges including prolonged response and transport times, insufficient payment by insurers, transitions from volunteer to paid workforce, and lack of plans and policies to coordinate services. Features recommendations for identifying public policy considerations to stabilize rural ambulance agencies.
Author(s): A. Clinton MacKinney, Keith J. Mueller, Andrew F. Coburn, et al.
Date: 01/2021
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute Rural Health Panel
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Mandated Report on Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Further Findings
Provides an overview of the non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) Medicaid benefit. Presents findings from an analysis of administrative data on NEMT utilization and spending, including utilization by urban and rural status. Includes findings from a series of focus groups with NEMT benefit enrollees on the value of the program, challenges, and ideas for improvement.
Author(s): Kacey Buderi, Aaron Pervin
Date: 01/2021
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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Advancing Population Health in Rural Places: Key Lessons and Policy Opportunities
Discussion of topics including strategies to incorporate population health into rural health, how collaboration can help rural hospitals address population health issues, how rural healthcare systems can gain community support for population activities, and ways in which the rural healthcare workforce can be involved in population health. Examines various demonstration projects with roots in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Author(s): Keith J. Mueller, Delaney P. Bounds, Andrew F. Coburn, et al.
Date: 01/2021
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute Rural Health Panel
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Telehealth After COVID-19: Clarifying Policy Goals for a Way Forward
Examines how telehealth may be used to improve healthcare quality, reduce costs, improve access to care, and meet other policy objections. Presents recommendations for telehealth policy after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Author(s): Lori Uscher-Pines, Monique Martineau
Date: 01/2021
Sponsoring organization: RAND Corporation
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Barriers to Health Care Access for Rural Medicare Beneficiaries: Recommendations from Rural Health Clinics
Presents findings from an online survey of Rural Health Clinics, describing barriers for Medicare patients in accessing healthcare services. Includes recommendations for improving access to care for rural Medicare beneficiaries.
Author(s): Megan Lahr, Carrie Henning-Smith, Adrita Rahman, Ashley M. Hernandez
Date: 01/2021
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Independent Evaluation of Comprehensive Primary Care Plus (CPC+): Third Annual Report
Reports on the first three program years of the Comprehensive Primary Care Plus (CPC+) model, a CMS primary care payment and delivery reform effort. Discusses CPC+ participating practices, payer partners, and health information technology (HIT) vendors supporting the program. Describes practice changes and outcomes for Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries.
Additional links: Appendices, Findings at a Glance
Date: 01/2021
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Mathematica
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