Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Telehealth
Rapid Deployment of Telehealth Services for Rural Hospitals Fighting COVID-19
Profiles how a Critical Access Hospital in Minnesota implemented a telehealth network in preparation for COVID-19. Offers lessons learned for other healthcare providers looking to implement virtual healthcare models.
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
view details
Profiles how a Critical Access Hospital in Minnesota implemented a telehealth network in preparation for COVID-19. Offers lessons learned for other healthcare providers looking to implement virtual healthcare models.
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
view details
MedPAC Comment on CMS's Proposed Rule on Contract Year 2021 and 2022 Policy and Technical Changes to Medicare Advantage and Part D
Responds to a proposed rule to revise regulations for Medicare Advantage (MA) and the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit program (Part D). Provides comments on CMS proposals regarding out-of-network telehealth benefits, updates to the quality rating models for MA and Part D plans, and changes to MA network adequacy standards. Discusses how changes to network adequacy standards would impact access to dialysis facilities for beneficiaries in micropolitan counties, rural counties, and counties with extreme access considerations (CEAC).
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
view details
Responds to a proposed rule to revise regulations for Medicare Advantage (MA) and the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit program (Part D). Provides comments on CMS proposals regarding out-of-network telehealth benefits, updates to the quality rating models for MA and Part D plans, and changes to MA network adequacy standards. Discusses how changes to network adequacy standards would impact access to dialysis facilities for beneficiaries in micropolitan counties, rural counties, and counties with extreme access considerations (CEAC).
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
view details
Rural Health Care and Medicaid Telehealth Flexibilities, and Guidance Regarding Section 1009 of the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act (Pub. L. 115-271), entitled Medicaid Substance Use Disorder Treatment via Telehealth
Discusses the benefits of utilizing telehealth services to expand access to Medicaid services in rural areas and the flexibility states have in covering these services. Provides guidance on options states have to receive federal reimbursement for substance use disorder treatments provided via telehealth services.
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
view details
Discusses the benefits of utilizing telehealth services to expand access to Medicaid services in rural areas and the flexibility states have in covering these services. Provides guidance on options states have to receive federal reimbursement for substance use disorder treatments provided via telehealth services.
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
view details
CARES Act: Provisions to Help Rural Hospitals
Provides an overview of aspects of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act designed to support rural hospitals. Highlights provisions related to access to capital, Medicare payments, and telehealth, among others.
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
view details
Provides an overview of aspects of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act designed to support rural hospitals. Highlights provisions related to access to capital, Medicare payments, and telehealth, among others.
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
view details
Public Law 116-136: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act
Text of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law 116-136 (March 27, 2020). Outlines telehealth flexibilities to support providers and enhance access to care during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. Among other things, the CARES Act allows Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) to serve as distant sites to provide telehealth services to patients in their homes during the public health emergency (PHE); establishes the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP); extends the ability to order home health services to physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and certified nurse specialists; and provides additional funding to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to enable the provision of telehealth services.
Date: 03/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Congress
view details
Text of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law 116-136 (March 27, 2020). Outlines telehealth flexibilities to support providers and enhance access to care during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. Among other things, the CARES Act allows Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) to serve as distant sites to provide telehealth services to patients in their homes during the public health emergency (PHE); establishes the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP); extends the ability to order home health services to physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and certified nurse specialists; and provides additional funding to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to enable the provision of telehealth services.
Date: 03/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Congress
view details
Fast-Track to Teledentistry - Removing Barriers to Care While Maximizing Overall Health
Details the barriers to oral healthcare access and discusses the ways teledentistry can help overcome them. Highlights the role teledentistry can play during public health emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and in rural and underserved communities. Presents examples of successful uses of teledentistry and provides guidance for teledentistry implementation.
Date: 03/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: CareQuest Institute for Oral Health
view details
Details the barriers to oral healthcare access and discusses the ways teledentistry can help overcome them. Highlights the role teledentistry can play during public health emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and in rural and underserved communities. Presents examples of successful uses of teledentistry and provides guidance for teledentistry implementation.
Date: 03/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: CareQuest Institute for Oral Health
view details
Identifying Measures and Data Elements for the HRSA Evidence-Based Tele-Emergency Network Grant Program
Research brief identifying the standardized set of measures used for data collection by the Evidence-Based Tele-Emergency Network Grant Program grantees. Explores ways in which emergency department-based telehealth services can be used in rural hospital emergency departments.
Author(s): Marcia M. Ward, Fred Ullrich, Kimberly A.S. Merchant, et al.
Date: 03/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Telehealth Research Center
view details
Research brief identifying the standardized set of measures used for data collection by the Evidence-Based Tele-Emergency Network Grant Program grantees. Explores ways in which emergency department-based telehealth services can be used in rural hospital emergency departments.
Author(s): Marcia M. Ward, Fred Ullrich, Kimberly A.S. Merchant, et al.
Date: 03/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Telehealth Research Center
view details
Issue Brief: Creating a High-value Telehealth Strategy
Explores how hospitals can use telehealth services to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs. Discusses approaches to deliver telehealth services and provides guidelines to consider when developing a telehealth strategy. Provides examples of how rural hospitals are using telehealth services to meet community needs.
Date: 03/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
view details
Explores how hospitals can use telehealth services to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs. Discusses approaches to deliver telehealth services and provides guidelines to consider when developing a telehealth strategy. Provides examples of how rural hospitals are using telehealth services to meet community needs.
Date: 03/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
view details
Coverage and Utilization of Telemedicine Services by Enrollees in Large Employer Plans
Reports on the offering and uptake of telemedicine services by large employer health plans. Includes data on access to telehealth for rural and urban large employer health plan enrollees.
Author(s): Matthew Rae, Cynthia Cox, Gary Claxton
Date: 03/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: KFF
view details
Reports on the offering and uptake of telemedicine services by large employer health plans. Includes data on access to telehealth for rural and urban large employer health plan enrollees.
Author(s): Matthew Rae, Cynthia Cox, Gary Claxton
Date: 03/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: KFF
view details
Digital Prosperity: How Broadband Can Deliver Health and Equity to All Communities
Examines the role broadband plays in impacting health and equity in rural and urban areas, and identifies policy reforms to reduce these barriers. Outlines how government and marketplaces influence access to broadband, and offers case studies demonstrating effective methods to develop more equitable outcomes.
Author(s): Adie Tomer, Lara Fishbane, Angela Siefer, Bill Callahan
Date: 02/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Brookings Institution
view details
Examines the role broadband plays in impacting health and equity in rural and urban areas, and identifies policy reforms to reduce these barriers. Outlines how government and marketplaces influence access to broadband, and offers case studies demonstrating effective methods to develop more equitable outcomes.
Author(s): Adie Tomer, Lara Fishbane, Angela Siefer, Bill Callahan
Date: 02/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Brookings Institution
view details