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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare business and finance

Success among Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant Awardees: Barriers and Facilitators
Policy brief examining challenges and successes in meeting goals for the Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant, using survey data from 42 rural grantees from the years 2003-2018. Intended to inform policies and programs supporting healthcare and health in rural areas at the local level.
Author(s): Mariana Tuttle, Katie Rydberg, Carrie Henning-Smith
Date: 05/2021
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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COVID-19 Health Care Flexibilities: Perspectives, Experiences, and Lessons Learned
Recording of a May 19, 2021, U.S. Senate Committee on Finance hearing on healthcare flexibilities implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on telehealth. Discusses lessons learned and considerations for the extension of these flexibilities beyond the pandemic.
Additional links: Kisha Davis Testimony, Narayana Murali Testimony
Date: 05/2021
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Finance
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Medicare and Telehealth: Coverage and Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Options for the Future
Provides an overview of changes made to Medicare's coverage of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Explores Medicare beneficiaries' use of telehealth in summer and fall 2020, and presents data by beneficiary demographic characteristics, dual-eligibility, presence and type of chronic conditions, and metropolitan status. Examines issues and questions regarding telehealth coverage beyond the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Author(s): Wyatt Koma, Juliette Cubanski, Tricia Neuman
Date: 05/2021
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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AHA Future of Rural Health Care Task Force: Final Recommendations
Presents the recommendations of the American Hospital Association Future of Rural Health Care Task Force, including innovation-based solutions and promising practices. Solutions include public-private funding changes for core services, flexible rural hospital infrastructure funding programs, creating a rural design center, and supporting grant writing services. Explores promising rural initiatives such as telemedicine, strategic partnerships, maternal health efforts, broadband investment, and rural philanthropy.
Date: 05/2021
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Prevalence of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Among Medicare Fee-For-Service Beneficiaries — United States, 2001-2018
Examines prevalence of Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis among U.S. people aged 67 or more who were enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B and were not enrolled in a health maintenance organization plan. Features statistics with breakdowns by 6 levels of population density.
Author(s): Fang Xu, Susan A. Carlson, Yong Liu, Kurt J. Greenlund
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 70(19), 698–701
Date: 05/2021
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Medicare-Paid Naloxone: Trends in Non-Metropolitan and Metropolitan Areas Metropolitan Areas
Policy brief examining Medicare-paid naloxone dispensing, comparing rates in nonmetro and metro areas nationwide. Provides year-by-year data by payer type for 2013-2018, including insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare Part D. Compares numbers of Medicare-paid naloxone prescriptions year-to-year for retail pharmacies, comparing rate changes for rural and metro areas.
Author(s): Chris Delcher, Yue Cheng, Minji Sohn, Jeffery C. Talbert, Patricia R. Freeman
Date: 05/2021
Sponsoring organization: Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
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Access to Marketplace Plans with Low Premiums on the Federal Platform Part III: Availability among Current Healthcare.gov Enrollees under the American Rescue Plan
Analyzes access to federally-sponsored Health Insurance Marketplace low premium plans among current HealthCare.gov enrollees under the American Rescue Plan (ARP). Table 2 provides demographic data on zero- and low-premium plan availability for both pre- and post-ARP by rural status, age, income, and race/ethnicity. Includes enrollee data by state for zero- and low-premium plan availability for both pre- and post-ARP.
Author(s): D. Keith Branham, Ann B. Conmy, Thomas DeLeire, et al.
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Access to Marketplace Plans with Low Premiums on the Federal Platform Part II: Availability among Uninsured Non-Elderly Adults under the American Rescue Plan
Analyzes the expanded access to federally-sponsored Health Insurance Marketplace low premium plans among eligible uninsured non-elderly adults under the American Rescue Plan (ARP). Table 2 provides demographic data on zero- and low-premium plan availability pre- and post-ARP by rural status, age, income, and race/ethnicity. Includes uninsured non-elderly adult data by state for zero- and low-premium plan availability for both pre- and post-ARP.
Author(s): D. Keith Branham, Ann B. Conmy, Thomas DeLeire, et al.
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Case Study: Avera Behavioral Health
Profiles Avera Behavioral Health, which partners with primary care providers, families, and other healthcare providers via a telepsychiatry network to serve rural communities nationwide. Discusses the development of the Avera Behavioral Health network, goals of the program, innovative approaches, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the network. Highlights key lessons for successful community networks.
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Economics of United States Emergency Care
Examines how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the economics of emergency departments (ED) from January through September 2020. Discusses the impact of the pandemic on ED visit volumes and complexity, clinical revenues and expenses, and clinician hours and compensation. Includes data for large, medium, small, and freestanding EDs.
Author(s): Jesse M. Pines, Mark S. Zocchi, Bernard S. Black, et al.
Citation: Annals of Emergency Medicine
Date: 04/2021
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