Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) – Resources
Selected recent or important resources focusing on Rural Health Clinics (RHCs).
Medicare Benefit Policy Manual: Chapter 13 - Rural Health Clinic (RHC) and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Services
Current regulations, as of March 2025, regarding Medicare payment policies for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs).
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Current regulations, as of March 2025, regarding Medicare payment policies for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs).
Date: 02/2026
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Strategies for Critical Access Hospitals to Address Outmigration
Offers 4 briefs providing an overview of factors that may contribute to a rural healthcare facility experiencing bypass or market share loss. Offers strategies to help rural hospitals, Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) increase market share and address outmigration.
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Resource Center
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Offers 4 briefs providing an overview of factors that may contribute to a rural healthcare facility experiencing bypass or market share loss. Offers strategies to help rural hospitals, Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) increase market share and address outmigration.
Date: 2026
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Resource Center
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Medicare Care Management Opportunities - What's New in 2026?
Recording of a December 17, 2025, webinar on care management practices in Rural Health Clinics, associated Medicare care management codes, and changes over time in billing requirements and implementation. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: 2026 Care Management Codes and Reimbursement, Presentation Slides
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Recording of a December 17, 2025, webinar on care management practices in Rural Health Clinics, associated Medicare care management codes, and changes over time in billing requirements and implementation. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: 2026 Care Management Codes and Reimbursement, Presentation Slides
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Medicare Claims Processing Manual: Chapter 9 - Rural Health Clinics/Federally Qualified Health Centers
Describes the differences between Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Identifies the rules and regulations for processing Medicare claims.
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Describes the differences between Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Identifies the rules and regulations for processing Medicare claims.
Date: 12/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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RHCs and CAHs Participating in the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP): Characteristics of the Providers and Communities
Describes the characteristics of Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) currently participating in the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) in 2023. Compares CAH and RHC characteristics by MSSP participation, ownership status, and freestanding versus provider-based RHC status.
Author(s): Edmer Lazaro, Dan Shane, Fred Ullrich, Keith Mueller
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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Describes the characteristics of Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) currently participating in the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) in 2023. Compares CAH and RHC characteristics by MSSP participation, ownership status, and freestanding versus provider-based RHC status.
Author(s): Edmer Lazaro, Dan Shane, Fred Ullrich, Keith Mueller
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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Medicare Payment Basics: Federally Qualified Health Center and Rural Health Clinic Payment Systems
Presents an overview of Medicare payments for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs). Details how the all-inclusive rate (AIR) is calculated for RHCs and how the national statutory payment limit applies to provider-based RHCs enrolled in Medicare before December 31, 2020, and whether they part of a hospital with fewer than 50 beds. Includes information on special payment rules for certain services provided by FQHCs and RHCs.
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Presents an overview of Medicare payments for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs). Details how the all-inclusive rate (AIR) is calculated for RHCs and how the national statutory payment limit applies to provider-based RHCs enrolled in Medicare before December 31, 2020, and whether they part of a hospital with fewer than 50 beds. Includes information on special payment rules for certain services provided by FQHCs and RHCs.
Date: 11/2025
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Calendar Year (CY) 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule (CMS-1832-F)
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 2026. Summarizes provisions related to telehealth services; improving care for chronic illness and behavioral health needs; Rural Health Clinic (RHC) and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) care coordination services, services requiring direct supervision, and telecommunication services; and more.
Date: 10/2025
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 2026. Summarizes provisions related to telehealth services; improving care for chronic illness and behavioral health needs; Rural Health Clinic (RHC) and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) care coordination services, services requiring direct supervision, and telecommunication services; and more.
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Doing More With Less: Turning Efficient Cybersecurity Into Savings In Rural Healthcare
Recording of an October 7, 2025, webinar regarding cybersecurity threats, how to proactively address these threats, and how to limit their impact. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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Recording of an October 7, 2025, webinar regarding cybersecurity threats, how to proactively address these threats, and how to limit their impact. Part of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Series.
Additional links: Presentation Slides
Date: 10/2025
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Rural Health Clinics
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An Evaluation of State Flex Program Initiatives to Support Critical Access Hospital-Based Rural Health Clinics
Describes the 16 State Flex Program (SFP) Critical Access Hospital (CAH)-based Rural Health Clinic (RHC) initiatives for the 2023-2024 funding year. Explores the various strategies SFPs have employed to assist CAH-based RHCs by highlighting common activities, challenges, and successes observed across their programs. Summarizes interviews with seven SFPs identifying common themes and notable variations in how they engage with CAH-based RHCs.
Author(s): Bridget Harr, Rebecca Stearns, John Gale
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Describes the 16 State Flex Program (SFP) Critical Access Hospital (CAH)-based Rural Health Clinic (RHC) initiatives for the 2023-2024 funding year. Explores the various strategies SFPs have employed to assist CAH-based RHCs by highlighting common activities, challenges, and successes observed across their programs. Summarizes interviews with seven SFPs identifying common themes and notable variations in how they engage with CAH-based RHCs.
Author(s): Bridget Harr, Rebecca Stearns, John Gale
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Rural Health Clinic: 2026 National Patient Safety Goals
Identifies National Patient Safety Goals for the Joint Commission's Rural Health Clinic Accreditation Program. Covers patient identification, medication safety, infection prevention, and more. Effective January 1, 2026.
Additional links: Simplified Version
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Joint Commission
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Identifies National Patient Safety Goals for the Joint Commission's Rural Health Clinic Accreditation Program. Covers patient identification, medication safety, infection prevention, and more. Effective January 1, 2026.
Additional links: Simplified Version
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Joint Commission
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