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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Legislation and regulations

Medicare Payment Basics: Accountable Care Organizations Payment Systems
Provides an overview of Medicare's Accountable Care Organization (ACO) programs. Discusses the payment mechanics of ACOs, including the maximum shared savings and losses of Medicare Shared Savings Program ACOs by track and level.
Date: 10/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Medicare Payment Basics: Critical Access Hospitals Payment System
Presents an overview of Medicare payments for Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). Compares differences in Medicare payments for CAHs, Sole Community Hospitals, and Medicare-Dependent Hospitals.
Date: 10/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Leveraging Medicaid to Support Housing and Nutrition in Ohio
Describes the Ohio Medicaid program and the federal Medicaid health-related social needs (HRSN) framework. Discusses how Medicaid coverage in Ohio can cover aspects of housing and nutrition needs as of 2023. Includes county-level map depicting percent of income spent on housing in Ohio as well as examples of programs addressing HRSNs in rural areas.
Author(s): Hailey Akah, Robin Blair-Ackison, Edith Nkenganyi, et al.
Date: 09/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Health Policy Institute of Ohio
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Nursing Home Certificate of Need Moratoria During the COVID-19 Pandemic Had Little Impact on Access
Analyzes certificate of need (CON) moratoria and healthcare supply of skilled nursing facility (SNF) beds during the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizes 2015-2021 SNF cost report data to provide information on states that implemented CON moratoria, differences by rural versus urban counties, and impact on SNF bed supply.
Author(s): Anthony Yu, Christopher Whaley
Citation: INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing
Date: 09/2024
Type: Document
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Rural Emergency Hospitals Fact Sheet
Provides a brief overview of the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) provider designation. Outlines REH payment, services, eligibility requirements, and how to apply for REH designation.
Date: 09/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Ensuring Access To Care: 340B Arrangements with Community and Specialty Pharmacies Improve Access to Care for Underserved Patients
Provides an overview of the 340B Drug Pricing Program, related legislation, benefits to underserved communities, relationship to specialty and community pharmacies, and more. Includes discussion on the value of the 340B program for rural pharmacies.
Date: 09/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Revised: Guidance for Rural Emergency Hospital Provisions, Conversion Process and Conditions of Participation
Provides guidance regarding the enrollment and conversion processes for facilities interested in participating in the Medicare and Medicaid programs as a Rural Emergency Hospital (REH). Covers eligibility, enrollment, conversion action plans, action plans, and attestation. Includes answers to frequently asked questions about the REH program.
Date: 09/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Medicare Benefit Policy Manual: Chapter 13 - Rural Health Clinic (RHC) and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Services
Current regulations, as of January 2023, regarding Medicare payment policies for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs).
Date: 09/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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MedPAC Comment on CMS's Proposed Rule on the Payment System for End-Stage Renal Disease for CY 2025
Comments on a July 5, 2024, Federal Register proposed rule related to Medicare payment policies for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Includes comments addressing modifications to the outlier policy, updates to the low-volume payment adjustment (LVPA), and updates to the wage index methodology.
Date: 08/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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MedPAC Comment on CMS's Proposed Rule on the Home Health Prospective Payment System for CY 2025
Comments on a July 3, 2024, Federal Register proposed rule related to Medicare payment policies for home health agencies. Includes comments regarding permanent and temporary budget-neutrality adjustments, the plan of care development and scope of services home health patients receive, and the proposed adoption of the core-based statistical area (CBSA) delineations for the home health wage index.
Date: 08/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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