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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare business and finance

Rural Hospital Shifts Operations in Anticipation of COVID-19 Surge
Explores the strategic and operational changes made at King's Daughters Medical Center, a rural hospital in Mississippi, in anticipation of a surge of COVID-19 patients. Discusses supply conservation strategies, financial strain, and staffing changes.
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Medicaid and CHIP in Guam
Summarizes key requirements and design features of Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in Guam. Features statistics on program costs from fiscal years 2011-2019, with breakdowns by federal spending and Guam spending.
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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Medicaid and CHIP in American Samoa
Summarizes key requirements and design features of Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in American Samoa. Features statistics on program costs from fiscal years 2011-2019, with breakdowns by federal spending and American Samoa spending.
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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CMS Native American Contacts
Features Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services contacts for personnel in the Division of Tribal Affairs and the contacts responsible for the different Indian Health Services areas.
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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MedPAC Comment on CMS's Proposed Rule on Contract Year 2021 and 2022 Policy and Technical Changes to Medicare Advantage and Part D
Responds to a proposed rule to revise regulations for Medicare Advantage (MA) and the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit program (Part D). Provides comments on CMS proposals regarding out-of-network telehealth benefits, updates to the quality rating models for MA and Part D plans, and changes to MA network adequacy standards. Discusses how changes to network adequacy standards would impact access to dialysis facilities for beneficiaries in micropolitan counties, rural counties, and counties with extreme access considerations (CEAC).
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Rural Health Care and Medicaid Telehealth Flexibilities, and Guidance Regarding Section 1009 of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act (Pub. L. 115-271), entitled Medicaid Substance Use Disorder Treatment via Telehealth
Discusses the benefits of utilizing telehealth services to expand access to Medicaid services in rural areas and the flexibility states have in covering these services. Provides guidance on options states have to receive federal reimbursement for substance use disorder treatments provided via telehealth services.
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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CARES Act: Provisions to Help Rural Hospitals
Provides an overview of aspects of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act designed to support rural hospitals. Highlights provisions related to access to capital, Medicare payments, and telehealth, among others.
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Public Law 116-136: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act
Text of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law 116-136 (March 27, 2020). Outlines telehealth flexibilities to support providers and enhance access to care during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. Among other things, the CARES Act allows Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) to serve as distant sites to provide telehealth services to patients in their homes during the public health emergency (PHE); establishes the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP); extends the ability to order home health services to physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and certified nurse specialists; and provides additional funding to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to enable the provision of telehealth services.
Date: 03/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Congress
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Population Health in the State of North Dakota
Presents a number of measures of population health in North Dakota. Highlights data on age, poverty, and insurance coverage, among other measures, in rural and urban areas across the state.
Date: 03/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences
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March 2020 MedPAC Meeting Transcript
Transcript from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission's (MedPAC) March 2020 meeting. Covers Medicare Shared Savings Program vulnerabilities, the role of specialists in alternative payment models and accountable care organizations, incentives in Medicare Part D, the Medicare Advantage quality bonus program, and Medicare's end-stage renal disease (ESRD) prospective payment system. Includes a discussion of ESRD payment adjustments for rural and low-volume providers.
Date: 03/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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