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Rural Health Information Hub
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Healthcare facilities

Apr 23, 2024 - Discusses an increase in dental deserts, particularly in rural communities due to workforce shortages and limited Medicaid reimbursements for dental care. Highlights a trend in Federally Qualified Health Centers to integrate dental care into primary care.
Source: The Week
Apr 23, 2024 - Pre-publication notice of final rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) establishing minimum staffing standards for long-term care facilities. This rule also requires states to report the percentage of Medicaid payments for certain Medicaid-covered institutional services that are spent on compensation for direct care workers and support staff. These regulations are effective on June 21, 2024, except for § 483.71, § 483.35(b)(1) and (c)(1), § 483.35(b)(1)(i) and (ii), and §§ 438.72(a) and 442.43 as indicated.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 20, 2024 - Discusses the impact of cyberattacks on hospital services. Notes the outsized impact an attack could have on rural hospitals.
Source: The Center Square
Apr 17, 2024 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking comments on the reinstatement of an information collection titled "Skilled Nursing Facility and Skilled Nursing Facility Complex Cost Report." The information collected will be used to determine the cost weights for the skilled nursing facility (SNF) market basket, conduct payment adequacy analyses, and determine reasonable costs. Comments are due by May 17, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 17, 2024 - Reports on a Minnesota hospital converting to a Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) in an effort to stabilize their budget. It would be the first in the state to convert to an REH.
Source: Star Tribune
Apr 16, 2024 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) seeks comments on revisions to an information collection titled "Reform of Requirements for Long-Term Care Facilities." The information collected will be used by CMS, state survey agencies, and long-term care (LTC) facilities to ensure compliance with Medicare and Medicaid requirements and quality of care provided to LTC residents. Revisions include new requirements proposed at 42 CFR 483.35 and new section 483.71, which were discussed in the September 6, 2023, proposed rule on page 61391. Comments are due by June 17, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 12, 2024 - Highlights a 2022 U.S. Department of Agriculture Emergency Rural Health Care Grant recipient. Grant funds allowed for updating equipment and facilities for the rural Texas hospital.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture Newsroom
Apr 11, 2024 - The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC) seeks comments on a draft Policy Information Notice (PIN) that proposes program policy guidance for health centers and look-alikes under section 330 of the Public Health Service Act. This draft PIN aims to clarify the circumstances under which health centers may provide certain health services as part of the Health Center Program scope of project to justice-involved individuals who are expected to be or scheduled for release from a carceral setting and re-enter the community within 90 days. Comments are due by June 14, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 11, 2024 - Pre-publication notice of proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding changes to the hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) for operating and capital-related costs of acute care hospitals for fiscal year 2025. Contains details of proposed changes impacting Medicare graduate medical education (GME) for teaching hospitals and payment policies and the annual payment rates for the Medicare prospective payment system (PPS) for inpatient hospital services provided by long-term care hospitals, among other things. Comments are due by June 10, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Apr 10, 2024 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) making technical corrections to the August 7, 2023, final rule. This notice is effective April 10, 2024, and is applicable October 1, 2023.
Source: Federal Register