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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Medicare

Implementation and Early Results of the Flex Program's Innovative Models Program Area: Final Evaluation Report
Reports on the implementation of the Flex Program and the integration of the Innovative Health Care Models (Innovative Projects) program area in 7 states focused on telehealth, care coordination, and quality improvement. Highlights lessons learned, program discussion, and the evaluation methods for each of the projects. Builds on a 2018 briefing paper, An Interim Evaluation Report of the Innovative Projects Portfolio of the Medicare Flex Grant Program.
Author(s): John A. Gale, Sara Kahn-Troster, Andrew Coburn
Date: 03/2019
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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2019 Telehealth Reimbursement
Provides an overview of Medicare reimbursement for telehealth services and discusses factors, policies, and legislation affecting reimbursement including: geographic and originating site restrictions; provider restrictions; service restrictions; payment for remote communication technology; chronic care management and remote monitoring; Medicare Advantage; Accountable Care Organizations, bundled care, and telehealth. Covers Medicaid and private payer telehealth reimbursement policies.
Date: 02/2019
Sponsoring organization: Center for Connected Health Policy: The National Telehealth Policy Resource Center
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Evaluation of the Million HeartsĀ® Cardiovascular Disease Risk Reduction Model: First Annual Report
Evaluates the first year of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Million Hearts Cardiovascular Disease Risk Reduction Model to determine whether, and how, it reduces first-time strokes, heart attacks, and Medicare spending. Covers participant characteristics, including rural or urban status and organization type; approaches used to implement the model; preventative care efforts; experiences with CMS support tools for the project; and reasons for joining and leaving the model.
Author(s): Leslie Conwell, Linda Barterian, Adam Rose, et al.
Date: 02/2019
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Mathematica Policy Research
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Fact Sheet: Rural Nebraska's Shifting Long-term Care System
Highlights the state of Nebraska's rural long-term care system. Addresses access, capacity, provider shortages, and reimbursements.
Date: 02/2019
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Affairs
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Market Concentration and Potential Competition in Medicare Advantage
Examines competition among Medicare Advantage plans using county-level data on plans offered and enrollment for 2009-2017. Addresses market concentration in rural areas. Discusses the importance of plan competition to keep insurance prices down.
Author(s): Richard G. Frank, Thomas G. McGuire
Date: 02/2019
Sponsoring organization: Commonwealth Fund
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Neighborhood Disadvantage and Chronic Disease Management
Assesses the relationship between neighborhood disadvantage and control of blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol in the Medicare Advantage population. Features demographic statistics with breakdowns by 6 levels of population density.
Author(s): Shayla N.M. Durfey, Amy J.H. Kind, William R. Buckingham, Eva H. DuGoff, Amal N. Trivedi
Citation: Health Services Research, 54(1), Part II, 206-216
Date: 02/2019
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An Overview of Medicare
Provides a basic overview of the Medicare program, including how it is financed, who is eligible and what benefits are covered under the program. Describes supplemental health insurance, benefits provided by the new drug law, and data on Medicare expenditures and financing.
Date: 02/2019
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Communication Technology Based Services and Payment for Rural Health Clinic (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)
Guidance for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) billing related to communication technology-based services effective January 1, 2019.
Citation: MLN Matters, MM10843
Date: 01/2019
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (P.L.115-271): Medicare Provisions
Provides a section-by-section description of Medicare provisions in the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act). Addresses rural in two sections: Section 6083 seeks to expand access to addiction treatment in Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics by paying for training costs to obtain a DATA waiver to furnish OUD treatment; Section 6042 authorizes a demonstration project testing expanded access to MAT drugs through teams with a primary care provider.
Date: 01/2019
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Quality Improvement Implementation Guide and Toolkit for Critical Access Hospitals
A guide for Critical Access Hospitals to help them navigate the Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Project (MBQIP) and find ways to support quality improvement in their facilities. Includes ways to organize quality improvement programs, what to focus on, federal program examples, and info-graphics.
Date: 01/2019
Sponsoring organization: Stratis Health
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