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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare business and finance

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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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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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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The Need to Reform Medicare's Payments to Skilled Nursing Facilities Is as Strong as Ever
Compares payments made to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and costs over time to see if changes made by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to the payment system have improved payment accuracy. Table 3 and Table 4 compare healthcare facility characteristics, including rural location.
Author(s): Carol Carter, Bowen Garrett, Doug Wissoker
Date: 01/2015
Sponsoring organizations: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, Urban Institute
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Critical Access Hospitals' Receipt of Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Payments
Describes Critical Access Hospital (CAH) participation in Medicare and Medicaid electronic health record (EHR) incentive programs and compares participation rates between states and by facility characteristics.
Author(s): Peiyin Hung, Michelle Casey, Ira Moscovice
Date: 01/2015
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Authorities and Mechanisms for Purchased Care at the Department of Veterans Affairs
Presents an independent assessment of the Purchased Care component from the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014. Discusses the system used to fill in gaps in care for veterans that live in rural areas or far from a VA Medical Center (VAMC). Compares the VA's system to other payer models in the federal government.
Author(s): Michael D. Greenberg, Caroline Batka, Christine Buttorff, et al.
Date: 2015
Sponsoring organization: RAND Corporation
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Critical Access Hospital Financial Pro Forma
Financial modeling resource used to assist rural hospitals in projecting long-term finances under the Fee-For-Service (FFS)/cost-based reimbursement systems.
Date: 2015
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Value
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Meaningful Use Attestations Among U.S. Hospitals: The Growing Rural-Urban Divide
Provides an analysis of the Electronic Health Record Incentive Program adoption in metropolitan, micropolitan, and rural hospitals in the U.S. Compares rural and urban hospitals that were attesting to meaningful use and receiving federal incentive payments.
Author(s): Ryan H. Sandefer, David T. Marc, Paul Kleeberg
Citation: Perspectives in Health Information Management, 2015 (Spring), 1-10
Date: 2015
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The Effects of Expanding Public Insurance to Rural Low-Income Childless Adults
Details a study on the effects of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid expansion on healthcare usage for rural adults without children in Wisconsin from 2007-2012. Discusses the frequency and type of care sought after participants gained coverage. Records visits in 3 categories: Emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and outpatient visits.
Author(s): Marguerite E. Burns, Laura Dague, Thomas DeLeire, et al.
Citation: Health Services Research, 49(s2), 2173-2187
Date: 12/2014
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Evaluating the HCIA - Behavioral Health/Substance Abuse Awards: First Annual Report
Evaluations of 10 Health Care Innovation Awards Round One projects focused on mental health and substance abuse services. Provides information on whether and how each project addressed the needs of underserved areas, including rural areas. One rural-focused project used telehealth to deliver services. Other projects provided transportation to help meet rural needs.
Date: 12/2014
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Mathematica Policy Research
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