Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Policy
Medicare Advantage Enrollment Update, 2026
Reports on the percentage of Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans by metropolitan and nonmetropolitan location and plan type, from 2016-2026. Discusses how policy changes may have influenced MA enrollment dynamics.
Author(s): Fred Ullrich, Keith Mueller
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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Reports on the percentage of Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans by metropolitan and nonmetropolitan location and plan type, from 2016-2026. Discusses how policy changes may have influenced MA enrollment dynamics.
Author(s): Fred Ullrich, Keith Mueller
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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Calendar Year (CY) 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule (CMS-1848-F) — Medicare Shared Savings Program
Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule regarding updates and changes to the Medicare Shared Savings Program for calendar year 2027. Covers modifications to the Shared Savings Program financial methodology, quality measurement and reporting, advance investment payments to encourage rural participation in Accountable Care Organizations, and more.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule regarding updates and changes to the Medicare Shared Savings Program for calendar year 2027. Covers modifications to the Shared Savings Program financial methodology, quality measurement and reporting, advance investment payments to encourage rural participation in Accountable Care Organizations, and more.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Calendar Year 2027 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Final Rule (CMS-1850-F)
Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule regarding updates and changes to the Medicare payments for hospital outpatient and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) services for calendar year 2027. Summarizes provisions regarding changes to the inpatient only (IPO) list, Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) rate setting, updates to the Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting (OQR) and Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting (ASCQR) programs, a cost-of-living adjustment to the nonlabor share of outpatient hospital service payments provided in Alaska and Hawaii, and more.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule regarding updates and changes to the Medicare payments for hospital outpatient and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) services for calendar year 2027. Summarizes provisions regarding changes to the inpatient only (IPO) list, Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) rate setting, updates to the Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting (OQR) and Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality Reporting (ASCQR) programs, a cost-of-living adjustment to the nonlabor share of outpatient hospital service payments provided in Alaska and Hawaii, and more.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Calendar Year (CY) 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule
Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule regarding updates and changes to the Medicare payments under the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and other Medicare Part B issues for calendar year 2027. Summarizes provisions related to remote monitoring, improving care for chronic illness and behavioral health needs, Rural Health Clinic (RHC) Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT) and Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) services, RHC and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) mental health and telecommunication visits, the Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program, and more.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Fact sheet providing an overview of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule regarding updates and changes to the Medicare payments under the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and other Medicare Part B issues for calendar year 2027. Summarizes provisions related to remote monitoring, improving care for chronic illness and behavioral health needs, Rural Health Clinic (RHC) Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT) and Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) services, RHC and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) mental health and telecommunication visits, the Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program, and more.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Updates to Critical Access Hospital Rural and Distance Evaluations
Outlines changes to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) State Operations Manual regarding Critical Access Hospital (CAH) distance and rural evaluation requirements. Includes guidance on Necessary Provider status, the evaluation of CAH location and distance requirements for existing CAHs when there is a newly certified acute care hospital, and the decennial evaluation of rural and distance status beginning in calendar year 2033.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Outlines changes to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) State Operations Manual regarding Critical Access Hospital (CAH) distance and rural evaluation requirements. Includes guidance on Necessary Provider status, the evaluation of CAH location and distance requirements for existing CAHs when there is a newly certified acute care hospital, and the decennial evaluation of rural and distance status beginning in calendar year 2033.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Calendar Year (CY) 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Final Rule: Quality Payment Program (QPP) Fact Sheet and Policy Comparison Table
Provides an overview of the 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) final rule, focusing on policy changes impacting the Quality Payment Program (QPP). Describes quality measures that are new, revised, and removed for the 2027 performance period. Compares previous policies with the newly finalized policies by policy area.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Provides an overview of the 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) final rule, focusing on policy changes impacting the Quality Payment Program (QPP). Describes quality measures that are new, revised, and removed for the 2027 performance period. Compares previous policies with the newly finalized policies by policy area.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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West Virginia Rural Health Transformation Program (WV RHTP) – Released Awards
Presents a list of awardees announced as part of West Virginia's Rural Health Transformation Program by initiative. Includes information about award amounts, project summaries, and counties served.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources
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Presents a list of awardees announced as part of West Virginia's Rural Health Transformation Program by initiative. Includes information about award amounts, project summaries, and counties served.
Date: 11/2026
Sponsoring organization: West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources
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How Do Services Offered Within Opioid Treatment Programs Vary Based on State Methadone Policies?
Examines the availability of opioid treatment programs (OTPs) in various states as well as access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) options, psychosocial services, and housing supports. Analyzes 1,501 opioid treatment programs (OTPs) and their characteristics, including state restrictiveness, services offered, facility type, rurality, and more.
Author(s): Zoe Lindenfeld, Noa Krawczyk, Erin A. Taylor, Denis Agniel, Jonathan H. Cantor
Citation: Journal of Substance Use & Addiction Treatment, 190, 210062
Date: 11/2026
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Examines the availability of opioid treatment programs (OTPs) in various states as well as access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) options, psychosocial services, and housing supports. Analyzes 1,501 opioid treatment programs (OTPs) and their characteristics, including state restrictiveness, services offered, facility type, rurality, and more.
Author(s): Zoe Lindenfeld, Noa Krawczyk, Erin A. Taylor, Denis Agniel, Jonathan H. Cantor
Citation: Journal of Substance Use & Addiction Treatment, 190, 210062
Date: 11/2026
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October 2026 MACPAC Meeting Transcript
Transcript from the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission's (MACPAC) October 2026 meeting. Covers hospital cost drivers, drug price negotiation in the Medicaid program, utilization management for medications for opioid use disorder in Medicaid, access to behavioral health services for adult Medicaid enrollees with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and more. Includes rural references throughout.
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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Transcript from the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission's (MACPAC) October 2026 meeting. Covers hospital cost drivers, drug price negotiation in the Medicaid program, utilization management for medications for opioid use disorder in Medicaid, access to behavioral health services for adult Medicaid enrollees with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and more. Includes rural references throughout.
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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Policy Pathways to Support NP-Owned Primary Care Practices in Rural Areas
Examines various policy pathways to develop the nurse practitioner (NP) workforce and provide accessible primary care in rural areas. Uses 2024 Medicare claims data to show the concentration of NP-only practices by state and draws on focus groups with NP owners to highlight strengths and challenges of rural NP-owned practices. Discusses state-level policy actions that reduce barriers facing NP-owned primary care practices.
Author(s): Monica O'Reilly-Jacob, Jennifer Perloff
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Milbank Memorial Fund
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Examines various policy pathways to develop the nurse practitioner (NP) workforce and provide accessible primary care in rural areas. Uses 2024 Medicare claims data to show the concentration of NP-only practices by state and draws on focus groups with NP owners to highlight strengths and challenges of rural NP-owned practices. Discusses state-level policy actions that reduce barriers facing NP-owned primary care practices.
Author(s): Monica O'Reilly-Jacob, Jennifer Perloff
Date: 10/2026
Sponsoring organization: Milbank Memorial Fund
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