Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare business and finance
Medicare Could Have Saved Billions at Critical Access Hospitals If Swing-Bed Services Were Reimbursed Using the Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System Rates
Reports the Inspector General's findings from a study of swing bed services and reimbursement at Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). Addresses changes in swing bed usage over time and examines the potential impact to Medicare of reimbursing swing bed services at skilled nursing facility (SNF) prospective payment system (PPS) rates.
Date: 03/2015
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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Reports the Inspector General's findings from a study of swing bed services and reimbursement at Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). Addresses changes in swing bed usage over time and examines the potential impact to Medicare of reimbursing swing bed services at skilled nursing facility (SNF) prospective payment system (PPS) rates.
Date: 03/2015
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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The Effect of Surgery on the Profitability of Rural Hospitals
Examines the effect of surgery on the profitability of rural hospitals, through analysis of market data from 2000 to 2008.
Author(s): Saleema A. Karim, George M. Holmes, George H. Pink
Citation: The Journal of Health Care Finance, 41(4)
Date: 02/2015
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Examines the effect of surgery on the profitability of rural hospitals, through analysis of market data from 2000 to 2008.
Author(s): Saleema A. Karim, George M. Holmes, George H. Pink
Citation: The Journal of Health Care Finance, 41(4)
Date: 02/2015
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The Future of Rural Behavioral Health
Policy paper discussing the unique challenges of providing behavioral healthcare services in rural areas. Includes policy recommendations and interventions related to workforce development, reimbursement and financing, integration of care, and the use of technology in delivering behavioral healthcare.
Author(s): Will Wilson, Angela Bangs, Tammy Hatting
Date: 02/2015
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Policy paper discussing the unique challenges of providing behavioral healthcare services in rural areas. Includes policy recommendations and interventions related to workforce development, reimbursement and financing, integration of care, and the use of technology in delivering behavioral healthcare.
Author(s): Will Wilson, Angela Bangs, Tammy Hatting
Date: 02/2015
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Health Insurance and Farmworker Eligibility
A fact sheet summarizing data on farmworker health insurance status, the elements that contribute to their lack of health insurance, and possible repercussions farmworkers face by not having health insurance.
Date: 02/2015
Sponsoring organization: Health Outreach Partners
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A fact sheet summarizing data on farmworker health insurance status, the elements that contribute to their lack of health insurance, and possible repercussions farmworkers face by not having health insurance.
Date: 02/2015
Sponsoring organization: Health Outreach Partners
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Use and Performance Variations in U.S. Rural Emergency Departments: Implications for Improving Care Quality and Reducing Costs
Illustrates the utilization and performance of emergency departments (EDs) across the urban/rural spectrum for non-emergency health conditions. Identifies and discusses the potential risk factors that may impact ED use for non-emergent healthcare.
Author(s): Yvonne Jonk, Marilyn G. Klug, Gary Hart
Date: 02/2015
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Reform Policy Research Center
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Illustrates the utilization and performance of emergency departments (EDs) across the urban/rural spectrum for non-emergency health conditions. Identifies and discusses the potential risk factors that may impact ED use for non-emergent healthcare.
Author(s): Yvonne Jonk, Marilyn G. Klug, Gary Hart
Date: 02/2015
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Reform Policy Research Center
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Distribution of Cardiovascular Disease and Associated Risk Factors by County Type and Health Insurance Status: Results from the 2008 Ohio Family Health Survey
Analyzes the health status of Ohio residents living in Appalachia with other rural and non-rural populations in Ohio. Uses 2008 Ohio Family Health Survey data to identify links among county demographics, health insurance coverage, and health outcomes in low-income adult populations.
Author(s): Mbabazi Kariisa, Eric Seiber
Citation: Public Health Reports, 130(1), 87-95
Date: 01/2015
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Analyzes the health status of Ohio residents living in Appalachia with other rural and non-rural populations in Ohio. Uses 2008 Ohio Family Health Survey data to identify links among county demographics, health insurance coverage, and health outcomes in low-income adult populations.
Author(s): Mbabazi Kariisa, Eric Seiber
Citation: Public Health Reports, 130(1), 87-95
Date: 01/2015
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Financially Fragile Rural Hospitals: Mergers and Closures
Highlights a national trend of financial stress on rural hospitals that have led to facility and service closures and mergers in recent years. Discusses the causes of the financial stress, including the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, the lack of Medicaid expansion in some states, and operational challenges in transitioning to value-based care.
Author(s): Mark Holmes
Citation: North Carolina Medical Journal, 76(1), 37-40
Date: 01/2015
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Highlights a national trend of financial stress on rural hospitals that have led to facility and service closures and mergers in recent years. Discusses the causes of the financial stress, including the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, the lack of Medicaid expansion in some states, and operational challenges in transitioning to value-based care.
Author(s): Mark Holmes
Citation: North Carolina Medical Journal, 76(1), 37-40
Date: 01/2015
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CPC Practice Spotlights
A collection of short features on primary care practices that participated in the CMS Comprehensive Primary Care (CPC) initiative, a multi-payer initiative that offered population-based care management fees and shared savings opportunities to participating practices. Includes examples of practices serving rural areas.
Date: 01/2015
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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A collection of short features on primary care practices that participated in the CMS Comprehensive Primary Care (CPC) initiative, a multi-payer initiative that offered population-based care management fees and shared savings opportunities to participating practices. Includes examples of practices serving rural areas.
Date: 01/2015
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Rural Health Care: Redefining Access
Discusses collaboration, recruitment and retention, providing specialty services and quality of care as methods to strengthen the health of North Carolina's rural communities.
Author(s): Chris Collins
Citation: North Carolina Medical Journal, 76(1), 20-23
Date: 01/2015
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Discusses collaboration, recruitment and retention, providing specialty services and quality of care as methods to strengthen the health of North Carolina's rural communities.
Author(s): Chris Collins
Citation: North Carolina Medical Journal, 76(1), 20-23
Date: 01/2015
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International Classification of Disease: CMS's Efforts to Prepare for the New Version of the Disease and Procedure Codes
Review of the efforts undertaken by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to prepare for the transition to the 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) codes. Evaluates the materials developed and activities undertaken by CMS to help providers' transition and describes concerns of stakeholder organizations, including rural-specific considerations.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 01/2015
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Review of the efforts undertaken by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to prepare for the transition to the 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) codes. Evaluates the materials developed and activities undertaken by CMS to help providers' transition and describes concerns of stakeholder organizations, including rural-specific considerations.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 01/2015
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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