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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare business and finance

Roundtable Discussion: Examining the Role of Telehealth during COVID-19 and Beyond
Video recording of an August 6, 2020, discussion on telehealth policies and impacts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and key considerations for the future of telehealth policy. Examines rural topics throughout, including access to broadband and using RHCs and FQHCs as originating site providers for telehealth services. Transcript available by clicking the dots above the video description, then selecting Show transcript.
Date: 08/2020
Sponsoring organization: House Ways and Means Committee
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Medicare Advantage Versus the Traditional Medicare Program: Costs of Inpatient Stays, 2009–2017
Examines the costs of hospital inpatient stays among patients 65 years of age and older with a primary expected payer of Medicare Advantage compared to traditional Medicare, based on data from 18 states. Includes data by location of patient residence for rural, micropolitan, small metropolitan, and large metropolitan areas.
Author(s): Brian J. Moore, Lan Liang
Date: 08/2020
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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Medicaid and CHIP in Puerto Rico
Summarizes key requirements and design features of Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in Puerto Rico. Features statistics on program costs from fiscal years 2011-2019, with breakdowns by federal spending and Puerto Rico spending.
Date: 08/2020
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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Behavioral Health Care System Capacity in Pennsylvania and Its Impact on Hospital Emergency Departments and Patient Health
An assessment of Pennsylvania's behavioral health needs and the impact that the behavioral healthcare system's capacity has on hospital emergency departments and patient health. Examines the effect of provider shortages, the role of first responders, emergency response models, and efforts to expand telehealth. Mentions rural throughout.
Author(s): Yvonne Llewellyn Hursh, Bryan W. DeWalt, Allison N. Kobzowicz, et al.
Date: 07/2020
Sponsoring organization: Joint State Government Commission, General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
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The Improved Health Outcomes Program (iHOP): A Unique Model to Promote Provider-Driven Research in a Medicaid Population
Describes the iHOP program, a grant-funded partnership between a Medicaid managed care insurer, the University of Louisville, and healthcare providers in Kentucky. The program operated from 2007-2018 and was designed to address the healthcare needs of Medicaid and uninsured populations across the state. Includes information on specific project initiatives, including those focused on special populations such as refugees, Latinos, and rural individuals.
Author(s): Tara J. Schapmire, Jill Bell, Mark. P. Pfeifer
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(14), 5079
Date: 07/2020
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Medicare's Mental Health Coverage: How COVID-19 Highlights Gaps and Opportunities for Improvement
Report explores Medicare beneficiaries' access to mental healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic. Breaks down data by beneficiary type, severity of illness, and rural versus urban location, among other measures. Highlights barriers to care and makes recommendations for the future.
Author(s): Beth McGinty
Date: 07/2020
Sponsoring organization: Commonwealth Fund
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Rural Hospital Mergers Increased Between 2005 and 2016 - What Did Those Hospitals Look Like?
Discusses rural hospital mergers between 20015 and 2016. Examines key hospital-level financial and market characteristics, and describes factors associated with higher odds of hospital mergers.
Author(s): Dunc Williams, Kristin L. Reiter, George H. Pink, G. Mark Holmes, Paula H. Song
Citation: Inquiry: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing, 57(2020)
Date: 07/2020
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Key Characteristics of COVID-19 Patients: Profiles Based on Analysis of Private Healthcare Claims
Analyzes private health insurance claims to describe key characteristics of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 between January-May 2020. Characteristics explored include age, sex, rural versus urban area by age, venue of care where first diagnosed, venue of care by age, comorbidities of hospitalized patients, and median costs of hospitalization.
Date: 07/2020
Sponsoring organization: FAIR Health
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Visionary Board Leadership and the Transition to Value Video Series
A 6-part video series on healthcare leadership for Critical Access Hospital (CAH) board members. Details best practices for CAH leadership through training modules that include hospital board interviews, discussion questions, and example activities to use in the development of long-term visioning plans.
Date: 07/2020
Sponsoring organizations: National Rural Health Resource Center, Technical Assistance and Services Center
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Individual Market Volatility and Vulnerability, 2015 to 2019
Study examining health insurance options and premium prices from 2015-2019, including rural/urban differences. Provides data and statistics on market volatility and vulnerability, with information broken down by population, race, health status, number of hospital beds, and more.
Author(s): Jean Marie Abraham
Citation: RSF: The Russell Sage Foundation Journal of the Social Sciences 6(2): 206–22
Date: 07/2020
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